I actually gave Ben the Cycle News at the Unadilla circuit where he was competing in his first ever AMA National race. It was 2002, and 11 and a half years ago.

Ben was a good kid, great for the sport and a real breath of fresh air in Europe. His boyhood charm and friendly manner attracted many fans into his corner. My kids loved him, and I had a huge respect for him as a person and as a racer.

If you think about bad luck in riders careers old Ben and his New Zealand mate Josh Coppins must be right up there with the unluckiest of them all.

It’s amazing to think about some riders careers. Many riders seem to have around 12 years in the spotlight if they are in the elite group of riders who are contenders. Stefan Everts burst onto the scene in the 125cc class 1989 won a World title in 1991 and ended his career with his 10th World title in 2006. So Everts was able to pull out 18 years, although it’s not always the case.

Another Belgian great Joel Smets was a GP winner and Championship contender in 1993, some six or seven years after starting racing. Smets won his first title in 1995, won another four World titles and ended his GP career after injuring his knee in 2005, so Smets contender career spanned around 13 years.

Mickael Pichon was no contender in 1994 during his assault on the World 125cc Championship, he then moved to America in 1995 where he had a semi-successful career winning a couple of AMA 125cc SX titles and the odd National overall, before returning to Europe in the middle of 2000 and winning himself two World titles in 2001 and 2002. Pichon retired from full time GP racing in 2006, so around 12 years at the top for Pichon.

New Zealander Josh Coppins who spend the early part of his career as a mid-fielder in the GP’s came to Europe in 1993, and retired in 2010, so 13 years for Coppins on the scene, but probably only 8 or so as a contender. Josh fought through major injuries and his 2007 loss to Steve Ramon will go down as one the real disappointments for many people.

That brings me to Ben Townley. Now when Townley raced his first Grand Prix in 2001 he was a nobody from the bush. He worked hard and within a year was winning GP’s and was a World Motocross Champion in 2004. That was an amazing run to the top and in many people’s eyes when Ben turned his attention to America we all though he has the potential to be an AMA Motocross Champion.

Injuries and bad luck saw him last around 10 years at the top of his game, and now with news that he has headed back to Australia to compete in their Motocross Championship you have to wonder if BT has ended what was a very up and down International career. Will he add to his 10 years, can he return to America and complete on the highest level, I sure hope he can, it would be a nice ending to a story that didn’t always give what was deserved.

What is rather interesting is the fact current World MX1 Champion Antonio Cairoli came onto the scene in Townley’s Championship winning year (2004), looked strong, then won a World title in 2005, simply incredible that someone so young and inexperienced could do that. All the more impressive is the fact Cairoli has five World titles and is coming into what will be his ninth season at the top. If all goes to plan and he follows in the same pattern as Smets, Coppins and Pichon then he has every chance of being a contender for another four or five years. If he could do the impossible and remain a contender for the same period as Everts, which would give him another 8 years at the top, then that 10 World title of the King look very interesting for the Italian great.

Ben Townley Career Highlights

2010

1st Place Race One, MXdN Lakewood CO, USA
2nd Place, Lakewood National, CO
3rd Place, Red Bud National, MI
4th Place, AMA Pro Motocross Championship

2008/2009

Off due to injury

2007

AMA SX Lites East Coast Champion
AMA MX Lites Vice Champion

2006

3rd Overall, Glen Helen AMA Motocross Lites
2nd Overall, MX2 Motocross of Nations

2005

3rd Overall MX1 World Championship
Winner of 4 GP's: Bellpuig (Spain), Castiglione Del Lago (Italy), St Jean d'Angely (France), Isle of Wight (Great Britain)

2004

MX2 World Champion and Dutch MX Champion
Winner of 9 GP's (from possible 16): Zolder (Belgium), Agueda (Portugal), Valkenswaard (Netherlands), Lichtenvoorde (Netherlands), Isle of Wight (Great Britain), Uddevalla (Sweden), Loket (Czech Rep), Ballykelly (Ireland), Sun City (South Africa)Winner of 21 out of 32 motos
Winner of 6 GP doubles

2003

11th Overall 125cc World Championship
Two podiums: Loket (Czech Republic), Gaildorf (Germany)

2002

6th Overall 125cc World Championship
2nd at round one GP in Valkenswaard (first podium finish
Winner GP of Sweden, Uddevalla- Gained 3 more podiums: Moscow (Russia), Castiglione del Lago (Italy), Sevlievo (Bulgaria)

2001

Debut season in World Championship