Ben Townley’s pre-season build-up at Hawkstone International MX delivered what is best described as gaining momentum from the well planned, training schedule put in place by Team Suzuki World MXGP GM Stefan Everts.
From arriving in Europe in January, Townley headed to Spain training with the Team’s riders, working with Everts, making adjustments from NZ to Europe prior to 2016 MXGP season.
Townley completed this initial pre-build-up stage going 6-2 for 3rd Overall MX1 at the weekend.
Strategically, Everts has raised the bar in timing preparations of his Team’s riders through building rider confidence and Team morale by training in Spain, photo-shoots together inclusive of mechanics and support crew which has paid off at Hawkstone.
Counter to the warmer climes of Spain, Everts Team riders faced, fronted and raced in the tough track and weather conditions, testing abilities to adapt on the track along with testing mechanics and bike performance.
As a build-up event, Townley and Team-mates Kevin Strijbos, Jeremy Seewer and 18 year old Bas Vaessen gained first-hand experience on what it will be like racing under 10x World MX Champion s72.
Having only interviewed Stefan twice, at 2015 MXGP at Assen and the next day at his workshop base in Belgium, there is no doubt Everts commands a special presence of GP knowledge, experience and success which he will use to the best possible advantage for Team Suzuki World MXGP riders.
For sure, when the gates drop at MXGP Opening Round at Qatar February 26th and 27th everyone will be watching, mindful of the calibre of GP racing this year.
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