He's got the greenlight to resume riding, a new bike and the future is looking positive.
But champion New Zealand motocross rider Ben Townley, on the comeback trail from a long term shoulder injury, has put the brakes on to a return to competition.
"The leopard has had to change its spots," Townley told NZPA today.
"In the past, I may have tried to resume racing as soon as I could, but I am holding back this time because it has been such a long process (healing after surgery), there's no need to try and run back into racing right now."
Townley, the 2004 world MX2 champion, has seen his career blighted because of injuries over the past three seasons and had to have his right shoulder repaired for a second time nine months ago.
He went for a check with his Belgium-based surgeon, Toon Claes, two months ago and was told he had done everything right in rehabilitation and was ahead of schedule.
"The surgeon thinks I will be back better than ever.
"On my return, I immediately started strength work and in the last two weeks, have been trying to ease my body back with light trail riding."
Kawasaki New Zealand have now loaned him a 2010 450cc model to train with, which Townley collected from Auckland yesterday.
He had originally targeted a return to racing at this weekend's first round of the national motocross championships in Timaru but was now aiming to contest a meeting in Whakatane over the Christmas-New Year period.
He said he had probably underestimated just how much conditioning could be lost in nine months and he now needed to get his upper body strength back in shape for riding.
"I reckon it'll take another three or four weeks to get back in the groove but I 'm really excited at how things are going," Townley said.
Townley intended heading back to the United States at the end of next March to try and revive his career.
"Right now, I do not have a contract with anyone although I have made contact with a number of teams.
"But with the worldwide economic situation, and the fact there are a number of riders out there who have performed well and are chasing contracts, I don't think I am high up on anybody's list.
"Whatever happens, I will go back to the United States to prepare for the outdoor season which starts in May and try and put myself in a good position to get a contract for 2011."
NZPA