The 2019 national champion was in fine form from the outset in South Australia today, despite qualifying in ninth position following the Top 10 Shootout, and was able to earn 5-3 scores in the pair of premier class motos on his Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 450. He’s currently seventh in the championship standings.
Waters has been splitting his time between being a professional racer and operating the official Husqvarna Motorcycles program in Australian motocross through his Raceline Performance business, but proved that he still has what it takes to challenge for the podium – and potential victories – at the highest levels in the country.
Todd Waters: “What a day it’s been! Qualifying was good in P5 and I’m so hungry at the moment, trying to turn this ship around, but I cooked it in Superpole with P9. I didn’t have the best start in the first one, but I fought through to fifth and made some good passes. The second moto, I had a good start in P2, and overall we made some really good progress this weekend. The team has been working hard to find what works for me and it is always a good weekend to land on the box.”
It was a more difficult day out for Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team’s MX2 class entries, with Rhys Budd going 10-16 after being taken out of top 10 contention in moto two – running as high as fifth early on. He was credited 13th for the weekend, now placed seventh in the points table.
Rhys Budd: “It was a very tough day for me. I tried to make the best of a hard weekend and I was in a half-decent position before getting taken down in the last moto, but we just have to focus forward and come back stronger for Maitland.”
Teammate Jack Mather went 17-20 for 19th overall, challenged by a series of mishaps and poor track position that made for a long day at the office. Still, experience was built for the MX2 class rookie and he’s eager to rebound in the coming rounds of the season. Round four is scheduled for Maitland, New South Wales, on May 24-25.
Jack Mather: “Gillman just wasn’t our day today. I had a few crashes and made myself work for it, coming from the back of the pack in each moto. My riding was good, I just need to be battling at the front and not in the mid-pack.”
2024 Australian ProMX Championship – Gillman, SA
MX1 round results:
1. Kyle Webster (Honda)
2. Jed Beaton (Yamaha)
3. Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team)
4. Dean Ferris (Yamaha)
5. Kirk Gibbs (GASGAS)
MX1 championship standings:
1. Kyle Webster (Honda) 136
2. Jed Beaton (Yamaha) 135
3. Nathan Crawford (KTM) 111
4. Dean Ferris (Yamaha) 104
5. Kirk Gibbs (GASGAS) 94
7. Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) 88
MX2 round results:
1. Brodie Connolly (Honda)
2. Kayden Minear (KTM)
3. Noah Ferguson (Honda)
4. Ryder Kingsford (Yamaha)
5. Alex Larwood (Honda)
13. Rhys Budd (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team)
19. Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team)
MX2 championship standings:
1. Brodie Connolly (Honda) 147
2. Noah Ferguson (Honda) 109
3. Ryder Kingsford (Yamaha) 99
4. Kayden Minear (KTM) 95
5. Byron Dennis (GASGAS) 79
7. Rhys Budd (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) 78
12. Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) 45
