Image: Supplied.

Current 85cc world champion Levi Townley will transfer to Europe in 2025 after landing a contract as part of a four-rider MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team, following in the footsteps of his father Ben Townley in embarking on an international career.

At only 14 years of age, New Zealand talent Townley will move to France with his family – including younger brother Jaggar Townley – for next year.

“Adding Levi Townley to the team is very exciting,” explained Yamaha Motor Europe MX racing specialist Thorsten Lentink
. “His win at the Junior Motocross World Championship on his YZ85 was special. We immediately saw his natural skill and potential and wanted to give him this opportunity to take the next step in his career with our Official EMX125 team.

“We’d also like to thank Yamaha Australia/New Zealand for their support, as well as the dedication of his father, Ben Townley, and Josh Coppins in New Zealand, who have given Levi an excellent start to his career. We know the move to France will be a big step for Levi, but we’re confident he’s ready, and we’ll ensure he [will] have all the tools necessary to succeed.”


Townley has enjoyed an exceptional year, clinching the 2024 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in The Netherlands on a YZ85, before making a seamless transition to the YZ125 and winning an Australian Junior Motocross Championship in the 125cc 13-14 Years category in Bunbury, Western Australia.

The highly-rated teenager also finished second at the YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale during the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in early October to cap off his year, which ultimately led to him signing with the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team with Yamaha Motor Europe.