Honda's Ben Townley has been hard at work in New Zealand. Image: Rice Photography.

A gruelling pre-season has New Zealander Ben Townley on track for a massive season ahead when he campaigns the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, for the first time in his career.

Former MX2 World Champion Townley has been working hard both training and testing since signing with Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing, entering the season as title favourite.

“It’s been an intense pre-season, last October I was in America racing, preparing for whatever came my way, and since then I haven’t let up,” he said. “The past five months have proven vital to my rehabilitation from my past injuries and setbacks.

“I’ve focused on my mind and body and I truly feel it’s coming together as planned.”

Recent results in NZ have Townley’s confidence at a high level, sweeping the opening three rounds of their domestic motocross series, only losing one moto from nine contested so far.

“This week in between rounds two and three I flew to Melbourne to test and to take part in some media obligations,” said Townley.

“I literally jumped in the car two hours after my final race at round two and drove to the airport, only returning to New Zealand on Friday.

“Taking another overall win was great with first places in races one and three, however losing race two was disappointing – I could only work my way back to second after a fall in turn one.”

Townley said he was enjoying a return to racing on home turf and looked forward to the coming week as he prepares for the birth of his second child.

“It’s great to be home with friends and family, you don’t realise how important your family is to your goals and life until the impact of having them around you each day sinks in.

“Lucy and I had been away for nearly a decade and being home this year is priceless. It has really made a difference to both of us and I am thankful for that.”

The fourth and final round of the New Zealand MX Championships will take place in Taupo on 18 March, before the MX Nationals commence at Conondale in Queensland on 1 April.