New Zealand’s Ben Townley is sidelined for at least the next two rounds of the MXGP season.

Team Suzuki World MXGP today fly out of Amsterdam for the long trip to Neuquen, Argentina for the fourth round of the 2016 FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship and will travel without Townley.

The 31-year-old is still physically weak from the virus he suffered prior to the Grand Prix of Europe over Easter weekend and decided together with team management to convalesce and miss the Argentine and Mexican rounds in the 10 days.

“Ben was sick before Valkenswaard and since then has still been very tired and is sleeping a lot,” commented General Manager Stefan Everts. “We made some blood tests and checks and all seemed OK but he is still so lethargic and very drained. Ben headed home and we made a late decision that it is important for him to get healthy and fit so he will sit out these two flyaways.”

The team sent the factory RM-Z450Ws by freight the day after the last Grand Prix at Valkenswaard in Holland and despite the machinery already being in South America have elected not to substitute the New Zealander. “We had a look but finally we will not run another rider at these events,” Everts added.

Kevin Strijbos will therefore make his first appearance around the fast and undulating curves of the volcanic earth-based layout just outside of Villa La Angostura alone. The Belgian missed the inaugural Grand Prix at the site in 2015 due to injury but now heads into a new challenge fit and building confidence after some promising speed at Valkenswaard.

Photo courtesy Ray Archer

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