Carlton Dry Honda Racing’s Ben Townley has been given the all clear by doctors after taking a hard fall at round one of the New Zealand Motocross Championships last weekend.

Townley won the opening MX1 moto before taking a scary fall on a hard packed section of the track that had been heavily watered between motos.

The former MX2 FIM Motocross World Motocross champion was sidelined remainder of the event to check for any major injuries from the fall.

“I felt pretty good in practice and qualified second,” Townley said. “I rode steady and smart in the first moto. My bike fitness is definitely getting better and I was really starting to feel good.

“In the second race I got into the lead but crashed on the first lap at a hard packed section of the track that had been heavily watered. It took the wind out of me and rather than risk anything I decided to get myself checked out.”

After being cleared by doctors, Townley will take some time to recover before returning to his normal training routine in preparation for round two of the series.

“I have been given the all clear which I am thankful about and other than some days off to recover we will continue to refine everything and prepare for our next race,” he added.

Townley is currently using the New Zealand Motocross Championships to prepare for round one of the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals series which kicks off on 14 April at Raymond Terrace in New South Wales.