Former MX2 world champion Ben Townley will return to the MX Nationals at the eighth round of 10 in the series in Nowra this weekend, once again representing the Penrite Honda Racing team for the second time this year.

After a successful hit out at round five in Coolum, where New Zealander Townley collected the first race win of the day before finishing on the third step of the MX1 podium, the motocross and supercross star will once again fly the Honda flag, as the series makes its way north for the final three rounds.

For former New Zealand MX1 champion Townley, the call up to race came following the announcement of Ford Dale’s retirement, and says he is looking forward to ramping up his 2015 Motocross of Nations (MXON) training program at the MX Nationals on Sunday.

“I’ve been selected to represent New Zealand for the Motocross of Nations, which is two months away to the day, so my preparation for that is kicking up a gear and doing the last three Australian MX rounds will be great prep for that event,” he said.

“Coolum was good earlier in the year, I feel pretty confident going to sand tracks in this part of the world with my experience from racing sand races overseas, so I expect Nowra to be a little different.

“I feel like I’m riding pretty decent and my fitness and strength should be a little better on a harder based track. This round is a pretty late decision, so I’ll get the ball rolling again here in Nowra and then see how things go.

“I actually know nothing about Nowra, but from what I have heard it sounds like starts will be key, and I like technical tracks! That’s the challenge of racing a series, you have so many different tracks and terrain, that’s how you find your champion.”

Townley also shared that he is enjoying getting back into racing, and has not yet ruled out a return to a full time program in the future.

“Two years ago I lost the love for racing, the injury toll within a couple of years took its toll on me mentally as well as physically,” he said.

“In those two years, I feel like I’ve had some time off, I’ve been able to stand back and look at the sport, and stand back and look at myself as a rider. I feel like I have a different perspective on things now.

“I enjoy riding my bike and racing it again.”

© Photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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