New Zealand’s Ben Townley has revealed to MotoOnline.com.au that he’s considering contesting the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, for the 2012 season.

The former world and American champion has endured an injury-plagued season in Europe this year, now determined to return to the top. Australia ranks high on his list of priorities, largely due to having the option to live in NZ.

In an interview with MotoOnline.com.au at Pala Raceway’s final round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Townley confirmed that he is interested in following the footsteps of former GP great and countryman Josh Coppins by racing in Australia.

“For sure, just because the big bonus for that is I could live at home,” Townley said. “Everywhere has its plusses and minuses, but that’s the biggest thing for me if I did race in Australia.”

Townley said he’s considering options in Australia, the U.S. and Europe, hoping to seal a deal that will enable him to prove his talent on top level equipment.

“Whatever I’m doing, whether it be any of those three, I just want to be in a position as far as structure and support goes,” he added. “The bike, the whole set-up has to put me in a position where I can prove what I can do again.

“It doesn’t really matter where I race, it’s more about what I can do there. All three of those series are good, they all have a good structure, and all have good teams within them. I just want to be on one of those teams that I want to be on.”

Stay tuned for the full interview with Townley to be uploaded on MotoOnline.com.au later this week.