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Red Bull Honda’s Ben Townley phoned the TransWorld Motocross offices today, obviously a little perturbed about news that’s circulating on the Internet.
“I’d like you to put something out for me,” said the New Zealander, who has spent much of the past year healing from numerous injuries. “There’s a guy out there who started posting releases all over the Internet, and has everyone up in arms. I can’t believe that idiot did that without even verifying anything with me, and it is all ridiculously premature.
“I will say that among the misinformation in what he wrote there is a bit of truth,” added Townley. “I have been struggling to regain full fitness following my injuries and I will need to take some time off, but I will issue an official press release in one or two days’ time, and only then will it be official. I need to work out some details with some sponsors first.”
Going the Gold in American Racing route is slick, tricky and treacherous at best. Many have tried it, only few succeed.
I hope he comes back for the Nationals 100% fit and ready to go for it.
Nice to get a serious reply for once....nice one motodude
Pit Row
Motocross star's injury break reports premature - manager
By PETER MARTINEZ | Tuesday, 27 January 2009
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A report that world 2004 MX2 motocross champion Ben Townley will take an injury sabbatical is "premature and ill-informed", his manager said today.
Glen Dempsey said from the United States today that while Townley has a medical issue and is undergoing tests, nothing could yet be decided about the 24-year-old's future at the moment.
TVNZ, quoting " unconfirmed exclusive information" out of the US reported today Townley was to head home in three weeks.
"His injuries have prevented him from getting back to full fitness and he will take two years off to fully recover," it said.
"That statement is completely untrue and the source for it unreliable," Dempsey, who is in Florida with Townley, said.
Townley was seeking multiple medical opinions on a shoulder injury before deciding on his future.
"There is a problem which is going to affect his racing but it is not a career-threatening issue.
"The fact they have mentioned (taking) two years (off) is totally rubbish and his returning to New Zealand in three weeks is uninformed.
"It (the injury) needs to be sorted out but to put a time frame at this stage is impossible because we don't have a medical diagnosis we can go on," Dempsey said.
Townley went to Europe at the age of 16 after winning 12 national titles.
He won the MX2 world championship in 2004 and moved up to MX1 the following year, finishing third.
He headed for the competitive US circuit in 2006 and a year later won the American East Coast Lites supercross championship and was runner-up in the American national outdoor series with Kawasaki.
He moved to Honda in 2008 but his season was ruined by a bad heel injury which forced him out of the Supercross season.
Gearing up for the outdoor season, Townley crashed in practice, hurting his right shoulder.
Townley worked hard to get the injury right but pulled out after two rounds of the outdoor series after suffering a new wrist injury in a crash he put down to his weak shoulder.
He eventually underwent surgery on the shoulder, which saw him sidelined for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Townley has announced a scholarship to give talented junior New Zealand motocross riders an opportunity to start their international careers.
Taupo's Cameron Dillon, 16, has been selected as the first recipient of the scholarship.
He and his mechanic will fly to the US in March to compete in the Spring National amateur races in Texas, on March 9-13 at Lake Whitney and March 16-20 at Oakhill.
Dillon recently won the under-21 125cc class at the final round of the New Zealand championship.
Post a reply to: Ben Townley to quit??? WTF