Townley Temporarily Stops MX GP Racing to Rebuild Confidence
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 | 1:05 PM
Share
Comment
Email
Print
By: CLS Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Following his decision to not compete in the Portuguese GP last weekend, CLS Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider, Ben Townley has take a further decision to return to his home in New Zealand to further work on his physical and mental fitness to ultimately return to GP racing.
“I want to let everyone know what is happening right now and the situation that I am facing. This past winter while preparing for this season I had two crashes that resulted in serious injuries. I was able to recover from them and return to my training and riding after a long recovery from the second one in late January. I was excited to start racing again. Let me be clear to everyone that I was realistic after so many weeks on the couch that my results would be average at best, but I was willing to accept that to start building myself up to the rider I believe I am. Since I started racing, I have had some struggles mentally. The crashes have affected me to a point where I cannot safely race at this level yet. I have made a decision that I need more time to build my confidence back up and work on rebuilding my racing. I have had amazing support from my team, Jean Jacques and Gael Luisetti, the team owners have been extremely understanding of the situation I am in and I am very grateful for that. Harry Nolte has been a huge part of my career and has believed in me a lot and I want to thank him for his support about this also. The whole team have been very understanding and helpful. For right now I am putting plans in place to get myself back into a position where I can race to my potential again, I'm not sure of a timeline or return right now. I want to thank my sponsors and supporters for their outstanding support since I returned to Europe.” explained the Kiwi.
Team principals Jean Jacques Luisetti and his brother Gael, although disappointed with this decision, have much understanding for the position that Townley is in. “We are very upset for Ben, because he is a great man and this decision is probably one of the hardest in his life. But it was too much of a risk for him to ride in those conditions and we support Ben in his decision. For us it was an awesome experience to work with him, even if the result this year is not the expected one. But we trust Ben, and we know that he will do his best to be back, and we are ready to welcome him again as soon as he will be ready. We put so much time and energy in the Team CLS every day for this kind of experience, with this kind of person, putting the human experience before everything else!”
The CLS Monster Energy Pro Circuit team have made it clear that when Townley is ready to return they will be waiting to support him once again in his MX GP campaign.
Following his decision to not compete in the Portuguese GP last weekend, CLS Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider, Ben Townley has take a further decision to return to his home in New Zealand to further work on his physical and mental fitness to ultimately return to GP racing.
“I want to let everyone know what is happening right now and the situation that I am facing. This past winter while preparing for this season I had two crashes that resulted in serious injuries. I was able to recover from them and return to my training and riding after a long recovery from the second one in late January. I was excited to start racing again. Let me be clear to everyone that I was realistic after so many weeks on the couch that my results would be average at best, but I was willing to accept that to start building myself up to the rider I believe I am. Since I started racing, I have had some struggles mentally. The crashes have affected me to a point where I cannot safely race at this level yet. I have made a decision that I need more time to build my confidence back up and work on rebuilding my racing. I have had amazing support from my team, Jean Jacques and Gael Luisetti, the team owners have been extremely understanding of the situation I am in and I am very grateful for that. Harry Nolte has been a huge part of my career and has believed in me a lot and I want to thank him for his support about this also. The whole team have been very understanding and helpful. For right now I am putting plans in place to get myself back into a position where I can race to my potential again, I'm not sure of a timeline or return right now. I want to thank my sponsors and supporters for their outstanding support since I returned to Europe.” explained the Kiwi.
Team principals Jean Jacques Luisetti and his brother Gael, although disappointed with this decision, have much understanding for the position that Townley is in. “We are very upset for Ben, because he is a great man and this decision is probably one of the hardest in his life. But it was too much of a risk for him to ride in those conditions and we support Ben in his decision. For us it was an awesome experience to work with him, even if the result this year is not the expected one. But we trust Ben, and we know that he will do his best to be back, and we are ready to welcome him again as soon as he will be ready. We put so much time and energy in the Team CLS every day for this kind of experience, with this kind of person, putting the human experience before everything else!”
The CLS Monster Energy Pro Circuit team have made it clear that when Townley is ready to return they will be waiting to support him once again in his MX GP campaign.
Did you like this article?
Check out ON TOUR
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
The Monster Energy Supercross tour is staffed by an intensely dedicated group of sponsors and support staffers. Here’s what life is like on the SX road. Page 136.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
I think that is a smart move. Much smarter than blaming the linkage and then the team. *cough* Pourcel..*cough*
hahahaha ^ nice
Isn't that the team that CP377 Dad ran? Huh.What was the big news that Reed was excited about? Hummm.
Sucks for BT, he's a class act, get well soon bro!
So let me get this straight.... BT needs to take time away from racing to help his mental state and boost his confidence? Huh? He is sounding like a wuss to me. Honestly, can you imagine another pro sport where a pro takes time off due to his lack of confidence?
@ tomktm. You need 100% of your confidence to commit to what needs to be done to be in the elite of the sport. That is why so few get to be elite pros. We just can't turn of that self preservation switch in our brains. It's right beside the on-off switch. You best check yours...I think you left it off.
tomktm... you have it straight...now you have grasped the idea of his mental state, can you not try to appreciate that of the due to the level of intensity & concentration needed racing at GP or national level, atempting to race at that level when you are not 100% comited could prove very dangerous.
I don't think calling him a wuss is fair.
What other level of pro sport can be as dangerous ?
Lot's of sports are as dangerous. Hockey comes to mind because my Bruins are playing game 7 tonight. I'd never imagine a hockey player doing what BT is doing. Hey, if he is hurt because of concussions or whatever I get that but don't take time off because you are lacking self-confidence. That sounds like a puss to me. Alessi didn't have a problem coming back from a very severe concussion and fighting through to have a great race. Just saying...
This is not worth defending. Townley is arrogant and entitled and this is what happens to those types of people when they don't get the results they want - they fall apart.
This is the same guy who turned down another year on the TLD Honda team for more money in Europe. I hope he gets a large pay cut. Also, I do not think this is the right move. He is not going to get any better by not racing.
Townley should take up a new living & hang up the boots. The guy has had an injury plagued career & I would hate to see anything else happen to him. Have fun in NZ Ben
Ha ha ha
Comparing ice hockey to motocross wot a joke
We've seen flashes of his brilliance over the years, but I'm afraid we will never know what could have been for BT if all of the pieces had fallen into place minus all of the injuries. Nevertheless, I'm a BT fan and was hoping the return to the GP's would be good for him. Come back when you're ready, Ben. It sounds like your sponsors will still be there, and so will your fans.
I can respect townley's decision not to race a lot more than i can stewart's decision to not race the nationals. People get killed or paralyzed doing this sport, even with 100% confidence. Get well ben. Love to see you back at the top of your game soon.
Have any of you haters ever raced...had a serious injury...then come back. I have and it does mess with your head. The last time this happened, I couldn't do it any more. I quit, because mentally I wasn't going to be able to reach the level I was at before. I was only a local Pro...I can't imagine what it must be like to race on the National and World stage and come back from injuries. All I wish for BT is to do what he wants to do...race or quit...I am a fan.
Dont' be so hard on Ben! When it comes to bad luck and injuries, Ben seems to find them. Its rough racing at 100% when you hurt all the time. Look at Hepler, lots of speed and talent and always plagued by injuries. I beleive he has a lot of heart and wants to win a championship. I also beleive that he feels like he is beating himself to death. Maybe in time he will realize its time to hang up the boots. The last few years have taken a toll on him and it is hard when you cant live to your potential. Gog luck to whatever you do Ben.
Sucks for him! He has had way too many injuries in his career. Probably should have stayed in Europe.
Riders also think they can reinstate their career in Europe (Tortelli, Searle, Anstie and Townley) and return to America afterwards. That never does turn out the way they think though.
@MXFAN, well said!!!!!!!!! Years ago doctors said I would never be able to ride again.Well I proved them wrong! Through hard work and training 1 1/2 years latter I was back at the track. Do I feel today, yes. Only will to quit when I am dead or it is not fun for me anymore. Nothing in my life replaces being on a bike. There are lots of old retired Pro's who gave it up only because of their injuries and found their way back because of their passion for the sport. Viva le Motocross!!!!!!!!!
Please excuse the brain damage. where is the frickin spell checker on this thing?
BT didn't seem too short on confidence when he cleaned me out at MXdN last Summer. Karma's a b**ch, ain't it?
Hey @The Smiling Assassin, didnt see you running up front last weekend either. Need a 450 for some confidence?
@Kiwimxer - Nope, no confidence problems here, despite facing the fastest riders in the world week in and week out. You remember how that was, right? Of course you do...you dropped down to the JVs - I mean the GPs because you wanted something easier. Seems to be working pretty well for you.
@The Smiling Assassin, you sure? I'd talk to MA800, as he can take a knock or two and still run at the pointy end of the field with that extra 100cc. I'd give it a go if I was you. As you say, you're racing the fastest in the world, but they are a long way in front of you, and they have the extra cc's.
Andrew Short is up to nil on his 350. Is he even in the top ten in points yet?
Why does The Smiling Assassin keep bringing up the past?
I wouldn't start crying for 'ol B.T. just yet. Not everything is as it seems (funny how life is just like that).
Jake511's post was *cough* funny *cough*. Typical Frenchman though, quick to surrender and blame others. Losing fans, popularity, marketability, etc, etc.
I wonder what sucker is waiting to sign him to a contract for next season, it better be on Kawasakis or, be prepared for "Le excuse".
Bro if only you mungrels new wher this dudes come from and to achieve some great result, hes a ledge and he will come back to smoke your asses. keep it rockin BT