Ben Townley has a comfortable points lead as the series heads into its final round in Taupo.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ben Townley has set himself up to clinch the 2012 New Zealand Motocross Championship after taking a third straight victory at Pukekohe over the weekend.

Townley once again took the overall on the day, extending his MX1 points lead to 21 over fellow former GP contender Josh Coppins with just one round remaining.

Townley’s victory did not come easily though, with Yamaha’s Coppins taking a moto win on the day – dashing Townley’s hopes at a clean sweep of the series.

In the MX2 class Scott Columb took the number one spot on the day over defending champion Darryll King, while Shaun Fogarty took third.

King now leads by only one point over Columb as they head into the final round, the stage is set for a great battle down to the wire.

The series will now head into Taupo on 18 March for the fourth and final round.