Team CLS Kawasaki’s Ben Townley was happy to score a top ten finish at the French GP as he fights back from injury.

The seemingly luckless Kiwi has had a string if injuries over the last few seasons. Now back in Europe contesting the MX1 World Championship, Townley showed he still has the pace to run up front.

“The team found better settings and my riding improved every time I went on the track all weekend. It was a building exercise and it’s just disappointing that I missed one vital lap, the last one of the weekend,” commented Townley.

“The result was a lot better than what you see on paper, and I’m pretty happy with the progress”

Despite being far from 100 percent fit, and having an incident on the final lap of race two cause him to lose some positions, Townley is positive he will soon be back to his old self and contesting for wins.

“Starting the last lap of the second race Nagl passed me at the finish line. I kept my line but he crossed it and we collided,” he remarked.

“I still have a long way to go concerning my physical shape, so I was pleased to achieve what I did this weekend and know what will be possible.”

Townley will look to build on his results and fitness this weekend as the World FIM Motocross Championships moves to Portugal for round six.