Former MX2 Motocross World Champion Ben Townley won the 38th annual Whakatane Summercross event in New Zealand on Monday, capturing his first victory in over two years.

The 25-year-old, who will contest the AMA Motocross Championship with Troy Lee Designs Honda next season, rode to victory after a hard-fought battle with Michael Phillips.

Townley won motos one and three, while Phillips was the victor in the second, giving Kawasaki KX450F-mounted Townley the overall victory for the event staged near the coastal Bay of Plenty town.

The next outing for Townley will take place at the New Zealand Supercross Championship, before contesting the Woodville Motocross Grand Prix in late January.