Australian rider Todd Waters might just get that second chance that so many riders don’t get in MXGP. The former GP podium finisher and top ten rider got a surprise call from HRC in Europe while he was testing for HRC in America.
Racing for the HRC team, as a replacement for injured rider Brian Bogers, the Aussie will make his debut in red at the Grand Prix of Latvia in a little over a weeks’ time. With little testing, but a lot of adrenaline, you can be sure Waters will be looking for make small steps in the toughest motocross series in the world.
It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Waters and we caught up with him to ask how he is doing.
Great to have you back. Can you explain how it all came about his deal with HRC Europe?
Well, I pretty much decided to leave Australian, and set out to make some opportunities. So, I started doing some training with Ben Townley in New Zealand, and I wanted to go to America, and do the Outdoor championship. I had support from Honda and also got some sponsors together. I wanted to try and get some results and land a ride. Before I had even landed in America, HRC (USA) contacted me and said do I want to come and test for HRC. So, I tested with HRC for a couple of days, then I did some testing for Showa, so I got the know those guys over there. They must have a good communication with HRC in Europe, and they needed a ride and my name came up. Basically, I received an e-mail, and within two days I was on a plane to Europe.
So, you were actually dealing with HRC in America. Was that to race for them in the Nationals?
Well, they I guess sorted helped me out a bit. They needed somebody to do some testing, because Ken Roczen was coming back, and they needed somebody to help out a bit. In my mind if somebody got injured I could step in while I was there, and it worked out. I didn’t think it would happen this quickly and I didn’t get to race one race in America. The opportunity that has come about is great for me, its huge. I left GP racing in 2015 and I am back with HRC and a lot has changed, a lot of new riders and I am stepping in in the fifth round. Its going to take some time for me to build and get to where I believe I will be. I have the best team in the paddock behind me.
You had made the plan to race the Nationals in America, something you hadn’t done before. I am guessing because for a privateer they have good contingence plans and also prize money, plus the level isn’t as deep as MXGP. Was that why you wanted to try America?
Well, like you said, I hadn’t raced there before, so that was the main reason behind it. I mean I had raced a Grand Prix at Glen Helen, but never a National, so that was my first decision and it does make it easier. Its one country, its logistically easy, and to do it off your own back its possible to do. Its also privateer friendly and you get prizemoney, so that made it easier.
Your first Grand Prix will be Latvia, which is a track I think you like, and it is a bit of an Aussie type of track.
It is, and it’s a good track for us. We are looking forward to it. The biggest thing is the new starts, the mesh. Its been in for a couple of years, but I left before it came in. A lot of new things to get used to. It is a familiar track, and the team has been awesome. We have a test coming up before Latvia and we will work towards getting comfortable on the bike and see what we can do from there.
You are in Holland, where at?
I am based in Valkenswaard.
So, plenty of sand practice, which is good.
Yep, it isn’t hard to find sand here.
As far as riding for HRC, I don’t know, I am 57, so for me, in the 1970s and 80s they were the team to beat, and they have put in a big effort to battle KTM in the Grand Prix series and have had success with Gajser. For you, is it a bigger deal riding for HRC than it was riding for Husqvarna?
Look, it is equally. I mean Husqvarna was also a factory team, but like you said, when you talk to people who are not into motocross, they still know what Honda is. It is a familiar brand and a big deal. As a kid, Jeremy McGrath comes to mind, or Ricky Carmichael, so for me, from my childhood, I do have to pinch myself.
I know when you didn’t get a deal for 2016, I felt sorry for you, because you had shown really good results and could easily have been a top five guy.
Yes, definitely. It started coming together, but unfortunately, we switched to the new model bike in the middle of the season and I wasn’t prepared for that, that is just a fact. It cost me. Anyway, we can’t live in the past, I believe I was a top five guy and I proved that on the current bike and that is my goal. I know the guys and I also know new guys are in there. It is a stacked top ten, and I have been racing in Australia with the one moto format. Am I prepared, not where I would like to be, but I am better prepared than my first year here when I was getting fifth and sixth place finishes. I had no idea what was going on back then, so mentally I am more prepared.
What is the goal for the first few rounds then?
I am going in with no results in mind, just trying to get out the best Todd Waters possible, and the best I can do and where that lands me, we go from there.
Obviously we have Jed Beaton doing really well, and Hunter Lawrence has shown a lot while he is fit. With you in the mix in MXGP Australia is well represented. It must be nice to be involved in this as an Australia, representing your country in GP?
It is. We had Dean Ferris and I representing in the past, and its kind of amazing. These guys (Euros) have grown up on these tracks and in these conditions. For Dean and I to step in and get podiums and top five finishes, I look back and think how was that even possible. Not only do we have to leave our country and fly half way around the world, but we have to get used to it. The young kids, like Jed and Hunter, these guys have so much potential, and they are so young, and they have time to learn. I went straight into the premier class and was expected to get results. The fact in my 10 GP I got a podium and there are guys who have raced 100 GPs and haven’t cracked the top ten. Australian talent is there.
You think it is also the mentality? Aussies are known to be fighters.
Yes, we have a long way to travel, and if we don’t perform, we go home, we don’t just cross the border. I am not on the pace of a Herlings or Cairoli, but I am giving 110% of what I can. I think Aussies have big hearts and Dean (Ferris) has proven that also.
Have you had the chance to practice with any GP guys and do you know how your speed is compared to them?
Not at all. I am coming in blind. The guys are in Russia, but its exciting, I like it. It’s a bit like doing the MXoN. We are doing our own thing in Australia and then we fly around the world and compete. That is the rush I am looking for. Sitting on the start line in Australia, I just didn’t’ feel it and that is what I am looking for.
What is the deal with HRC, do you stay the whole season. Word is Bogers is out for a while.
I can’t comment on that at the moment, that is up to HRC to release that one. I am not on the loop with that one. We just start racing and see how it goes.
And it doesn’t work out here, you will still go to America and do the second part of their season?
I guess. I just packed my bags and landed in Holland. I didn’t even know who was going to pick me up. I am living with Poco the practice manager and I got no car, we are just living day by day.
At least you got good weather this time around.
Yes, I am stocked, its different from the snow and cold that I remember before. I am just following the summer. Just had summer in Australia and now here.
