Townley in war of words with Luongo
By Sean Lawless on 9th Mar 16
Ben Townley was in no mood to mince words in the press conference after topping MXGP qualification in Thailand.
The former world MX2 and AMA Lites East SX champion, who's making a comeback this season after semi-retiring from the sport, criticised the standard of tracks at the opening two rounds of this year's MXGP series – prompting a swift response from Youthstream CEO Giuseppe Luongo.
"Coming to these tracks, they are just not good enough,” said the Kiwi. "Qatar and here isn't the pinnacle of our sport.
"We are the MXGP, the best riders in the world and these guys can't sit here and
honestly say it is an amazing place to ride a motorcycle. We are in a flat paddock in the middle of nowhere.
"I tried to get a GP in New Zealand and we would have been there this weekend or the following weekend. You guys would have the best event on the entire calendar if you came to New Zealand.
"That is where the culture shock is for me – to be here and in conditions like this. This, in my opinion, is not good enough for the sport. I'm glad I got the opportunity to say that here today. We get told to not put the sport in
disrepute but this is the best championship in the world. I think that it deserves better.”
Luongo, during a separate press conference to announce a three-year deal for an additional Asian GP – in Indonesia – from 2017, was equally direct in his response to Townley's comments.
"I am very disappointed,” he said. "It is not the way for a professional rider to talk in a press conference like this. I never say
something when a rider finishes 15th, 16th, 18th or 20th place.
"The people here make a big effort to make the track. The weather conditions are very hot. The riders know it is very hot, they have to come here prepared for this kind of track. If they want to be world champion they have to show they can be fast everywhere.
"The people on the track work day and night to make it the best condition and, frankly, the track is much better than last year.
"Also to say that Qatar was s**t and this was s**t, when a rider is not fast I do not say they are s**t. I have to respect their work and they have to respect the work of the
organisers if they want to be professional.
"I am very, very disappointed and I have already spoken to Suzuki about it. If Ben Townley wants a change of work I will employ him to come and make the track for us.”
Almost immediately a Facebook page – Ben Townley to pick MXGP venues campaign – was set up in support of the Suzuki rider with members quick to jump to his defence.
