Tauranga’s Ben Townley (Honda), moving up in America.

Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

New Zealand’s Ben Townley is up to fifth in the United States motocross standings after racing wrapped up at round three of the AMA series in Pennsylvania at the weekend.

Bay of Plenty rider Townley, this season on the comeback from serious injury, raced his Honda to 4-6 finishes, moving himself up from seventh to fifth in the rankings.

But it was Suzuki star Ryan Dungey who dominated the day, threatening to add the American motocross crown to the supercross crown he won earlier this season by proving himself to be unbeatable in the two 450cc races in Pennsylvania.

This moved Dungey past the previous points leader, Australian Kawasaki rider Chad Reed, to the top of the standings.

After breaking through for his first 450 class victory the previous weekend, Minnesota’s Dungey made it two race wins in a row.

Meanwhile, Kawasaki's Tyla Rattray, of South Africa, raced to his first career victory in the 250 Class.

Dungey maintained the momentum he built the previous weekend, going 1-1 on the day to establish a four-moto win streak. After grabbing the lead early in moto one, he never looked back but was forced to chase down Honda’s Andrew Short in moto two. Overcoming a multiple-second deficit, he closed in during the closing stages and made the winning pass to lead the final five laps.

450 class championship standings:

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 126

2. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 101

3. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 98

4. Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki, 95

5. Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda, 87

6 .Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 82

7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 79

8. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 76

9. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 71

10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 55