New Zealand’s Ben Townley is back on track.

The 26-year-old Kawasaki ace, injured during round four of the Australasian Super X Championships at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, in November, reports that his recovery is going “very well indeed”.

The Taupo rider was rushed to hospital suffering a dislocated hip but he now says he will be “ready to go” at the start of the MX1 Motocross World Championships in Bulgaria on April 10.

Townley has shown incredible resolve, strength and courage to claw his way back into racing form in recent weeks.

As part of his rebuilding process, Townley teamed with fellow Kawasaki man Jayden Grey (Otorohanga) to finish runner-up at the Raglan Rox four-hour cross-country race a week ago, even leading for a period before being beaten to the flag by New Zealand’s former American GNCC champion Paul Whibley (Pahiatua), who had teamed with another Kiwi international to win the day, Taupo’s Rory Mead.

“I feel pretty good right now … no pain or anything,” said Townley.

“I’ve had the doctors’ clearances to race again and now I’m just getting on with what I need to do to be ready for the motocross world championships.

“I’m not worried about my speed just yet. I just need to spend time on the bike so that I’m not behind the eight ball when the time comes to race hard. I’ll definitely be good to go at the first GP.

“Not being fully fit at the start of the season was what hurt me (when racing the United States nationals) last year,” he said. “I need to get some good base fitness now and build on that.”

Townley will race for the French-based CLS Kawasaki Team when he returns to Europe in two weeks’ time.

By signing for Team CLS, Townley will not only renew his successful relationship with Kawasaki, Monster Energy and Pro Circuit but also with CLS technical supervisor Harry Nolte, the Dutch technician with whom he has also enjoyed success and fond memories in the past.

“I’m really excited about the new deal I have with Kawasaki Team CLS,” said Townley.

“I have had a great relationship with Kawasaki over the years and rode for them as an amateur in New Zealand so I am excited to be back on green.

“I am feeling confident and happy with where my build-up is right now. I’m ahead of where I expected to be after the injury and my strength is coming along nicely. I’m gaining momentum every day.

“The French CLS team I will be riding for is actually a motorcycle dealership in the South of France and that’s where I will be heading in the middle of February.

“We will do a few international motocross races before the GP season begins and then move to Belgium to be based there during the world champs.

“A lot of GPs are back-to-back this season and that’s different to what it was when I last raced over there. I’ll be on the road a bit too, with America and then Brazil (on consecutive weekends) and then Portugal and Spain (on consecutive weekends) too. A lot of time will be spent travelling this year, which I quite like … it keeps the season rolling along.”

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com