Source: Supplied.

Ben Townley has been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s ninth round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship in Spain due to a mid-week practice crash.

Although no serious injuries were sustained in the crash which left him with a sore wrist, ribs and head, the Team Suzuki World MXGP rider has been advised by doctors to miss the Talavera de la Reina event and take some time to rest and recover.

“I went down today and hit my wrist, ribs and banged my head a bit,” said Townley. “I’ll need a few days off again. The wrist is not broken but the doctor told me I’d need to rest it and start some treatment. I will have to go day-by-day and see where I can get to. That’s all I know at the moment.”

This weekend’s event will mark the third round Townley will sit out after missing both the Argentina and Mexico events due to illness. Currently siting 13th overall, this injury setback will see New Zealander slip further down the MXGP standings as the series hits its mid-point.

Team Suzuki World MXGP are yet to confirm a return date for Townley at this stage.