Waters and Bopping are amped ahead of the MXoN in Belgium. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Australia’s team of rising stars selected for the 2012 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations have spoken out regarding the event on 30 September at Lommel in Belgium.

Team Australia will consist of three MXoN rookies this year, with Lawson Bopping (MX1), Luke Styke (MX2) and Todd Waters (MX3) all currently based at home in the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

Bopping, 23, was a late selection after initial pick Michael Byrne suffered a broken leg at Unadilla’s round of American Motocross, the CDR Yamaha standout honoured to compete for his country. Bopping finished fifth in the MX1 point standings of the nationals.

“It was a shame that Byrner got hurt, but it’s really cool and a great feeling to represent Australia,” Bopping told MotoOnline.com.au. “We’re all really young, none of us have done it before, but we’re looking forward to it.

“The event will be like another race in some ways for me because Gary [Benn] will be there and Dacka [Craig Dack], so I can’t wait. I don’t know what to expect, it’s going to be really tough, but hopefully I can rise to the occasion and minimise mistakes.”

At just 20 years of age, Styke has led the MX2 category of the Australian Motocross Championship for much of 2012, eventually sealing second to Ford Dale. The Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing rider is excited to represent Australia.

“It’s going to be the best thing ever, like a dream come true,” Styke explained. “It’s going to be great, we’ve been getting stuff together and preparing, taking one thing at a time and it’s going to be awesome.”

Waters will be one to watch at Lommel in the MX3 ranks, the 21-year-old coming off a breakthrough season in the MX Nationals with Motul Pirelli Suzuki. He too finished second in the series, just 11 points behind Josh Coppins, and he can’t wait to go up against the world’s best.

“It’s going to be massive, one of the biggest things in my career,” Waters said. “You know, any international race is massive, but just to be able to go over there and put my name out there in front of these international riders and team managers is pretty cool.

“I’ve got nothing to lose, these guys might have heard of me but have never seen me ride before, so all I can do is go out and do the best that I can. I need to get a bit of experience and hopefully I can end up racing overseas a lot more in the future.”

Last season at the MXoN event, Team Australia finished third overall in the nation’s first ever podium result in a team led by Chad Reed (MX1) alongside Brett Metcalfe (MX3) and Matt Moss (MX2).