Ben Townley - Comeback

There can be no denying, the return of former MX2 world champion Ben Townley to the MXGP class is massive. While the question marks will remain until it is seen what the New Zealand has for the toughest motocross series in the world, it is important to understand the interest this move has.

Not unlike the arrival of American legend Ryan Villopoto to the MXGP class in 2015, the return of one of the most popular riders of his era will also bring a large audience. Townley might only have a single world title to his name, his talent is unquestionable. Injuries played a major part in the career of the new Suzuki factory rider and you can be sure that he is only returning for one thing, and it’s got nothing to do with financial gain.

“Money wasn’t a factor,” Townley told motoonline.com.au website this week. “I can’t go back to what I was earning at the height of my career and I’m not doing this for financial reasons. I’ve still got a huge desire to achieve being a world champion again and that outweighs the financial factor. At the same time I had to ensure my family wasn’t put in a vulnerable position with this move, but everything stacks up and I’m willing to give it another shot to achieve this goal of mine.”

Townley who is now 30 years old arrived on the GP scene as a young kid, looking to achieve something only Shayne King had done, and that was to win a world motocross championship. It will be a tough transition as the MXGP series is now tougher than it’s ever been, and while his stunning performance at the 2015 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations was impressive, Townley knows as well as anyone that doing 18 rounds of MXGP isn’t going to be easy.

In Sweden in 2002 Townley picked up his first ever GP victory, it was the first sign that he was going to be a force in the MX2 championship in future years. 2003 though and when Stefan Everts decided to race the 125/MX2 rounds to prepare for the MotocrossGP/MXGP class it was goodnight for GP victories for Townley. He did however come out swinging in 2004, on a brand new KTM machine, that saw several engine failures Townley won 21 of the 26 moto’s he finished, he also had six DNF’s, but still won the championship by 116 points over close friend Tyla Rattray.

Now back in the MXGP series and with a fresh mind and a new dream the veteran of motocross looks at trying to get another chance. His dream is the same as it was in 2001 when he arrived as a young teenager, he wants to be FIM Motocross World Champion, it is as simple as that.

The motocross world will be watching Mr. Townley, let us hope you can show them just how good you really are.