New Zealander Ben Townley is content with his outright speed ahead of his MX1 Motocross World Championship return at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands this weekend.

Back on his CLS Pro Circuit Kawasaki during the past two weeks after returning from a string of injuries, former MX2 World Champion Townley made his racing return at last weekend’s British Motocross Championship round at Lyng.

Townley finished with a seventh in moto one and then was running second in moto two when he was forced to retire with damage to his exhaust. Despite the DNF, Townley enjoyed his comeback and looks forward to racing in the Netherlands this Monday.

“I was so excited, but at the same time a little nervous to be racing again,” Townley admitted. “I was all smiles underneath my helmet and so happy to be out there because it’s been such a long time and my return to Europe has been delayed so I was really excited to get things started.

“Every time I go out on the track I improve so I was fairly happy with my speed, especially in the second race I felt like my old self out there but I think that the biggest thing at the moment is still putting everything together.

“I’m still building up on my corner speed and attacking the track and that’s all coming back to me. I’ve only been on the bike a couple of weeks – I know it was only a British championship and I’ve got to get to the world championship now but the speed of the top guys in the UK has always been very high.”

Townley is declining to predict his form heading into Valkenswaard’s second GP round of the season, instead focusing on continuing to improve his riding.

“At this stage I don’t think it’s worth putting in expectations on Valkenswaard next weekend,” he added. “I want to keep improving on the bike, keep on improving on my riding and then take the race as it comes.

“I need to get through Sunday and then survive on Monday. I can’t wait!”