Motorsport: Townley injured during supercross event

Ben Townley during last weekend's Australian Supercross championship round in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Top New Zealand motocross rider Ben Townley is in hospital with a dislocated hip after a crash during last weekend's Australian Supercross championship round at Auckland.

A motocross fan said Townley, 25, was tackling a series of double jumps and took his hands off the handlebars before landing heavily face first.

"It looked like he didn't think he was going to make the jump and just bailed. He didn't move a muscle once he hit," the fan added.

The 2004 world MX2 champion was taken to hospital for treatment.

Townley's mother, Vicki, said today her son was still in North Shore hospital awaiting scans on his injury.

"He's looking forward to being discharged once the tests are done," Vicki Townley said.

The next round of the series is at Dunedin's Carisbrook stadium.

- NZPA