Release from 23.03.2026
Former MX1 national champion impresses at opening round of the 2026 season
Team owner/rider Waters entered Round 1 with renewed focus ahead of the new series, wanting to start the season on a positive note equipped with the Husqvarna FC 450. He qualified fourth on Saturday and was eighth quickest in Sunday’s MX1 Pole Shootout.
Featuring towards the front of the field over the two motos contested in Wonthaggi, the 36-year-old recorded an impressive 5-4 moto scorecard at the Victorian venue, which saw him claim P4 for the weekend. Waters will carry that momentum into Canberra’s second round on April 19, which was the location of his season-best result last year.
“I felt good at Round 1!” reflected Waters. “We’ve been working hard on the bike to get it set up for me and we've found what I need to be able to ride fast. Moto 1, I was P2 off the start, and there's Dean [Ferris] and I together, before [Jed] Beaton made quick work of us, and then [Aaron] Tanti got past me. I was on him all moto trying to get him back, but he and I were probably doing the same lap-times – I'd be quite a bit faster than him over the finish area, and then he'd pull from me over the other side of the track, so it was an interesting race. That gave me a little bit of confidence for Moto 2, but my start wasn't as good, and I sort of came through with some good passes and closed the gap on Ferris, then we came into a heap of lapped riders. I need to be fitter and faster, but overall, it was a good first round for us. I was stoked to get P4 – I wanted a podium, but I let that one slip away from me. I feel alive again and we're keen to go racing this year.”
In the MX2 division, Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team entry Reid Taylor was equipped with the Husqvarna FC 250 and posted the eighth-fastest qualifying time on Saturday, showing promise leading into Sunday’s racing. A difficult start to the season saw him claim 19-14 moto scores, which resulted in 16th overall.
“It obviously wasn’t a great weekend at Round 1 at Wonthaggi for me,” commented Taylor. “I struggled all weekend dealing with a few things, but it’s nothing that I can’t handle – I’ve been in this situation before, and I know what I need to do. We’ll go to work in these next few weeks and come out to show everyone where I should be and where I know I can be.”
Next Race: April 19 – Canberra, ACT
Results MX1 Class – Wonthaggi
1. Jed Beaton (Yamaha)
2. Kyle Webster (Honda)
3. Dean Ferris (Kawasaki)
4. Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team)
8. Zac Watson (KTM)
13. Nathan Crawford (KTM)
Standings MX1 Class after 1 of 8 rounds
1. Jed Beaton, 50 points
2. Kyle Webster, 42
3. Dean Ferris, 42
4. Todd Waters, 34
8. Zac Watson, 27
13. Nathan Crawford, 15
Results MX2 Class – Wonthaggi
1. Alex Larwood (Honda)
2. Byron Dennis (KTM)
3. Dylan Walsh (KTM)
16. Reid Taylor (Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team)
Standings MX2 Class after 1 of 8 rounds
1. Alex Larwood, 50 points
2. Byron Dennis, 40
3. Dylan Walsh, 40
16. Reid Taylor, 9