MotoOnline catches up with MX Nationals’ current MX1 points leader, Todd Waters, and picks his brain on a handful of moto-related topics.

Todd Waters takes a slender four-point lead to Hervey Bay. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Heading into Hervey Bay with my lead cut to four points…

This season has definitely had some highs and lows. I trained so hard in the lead-up to the championship and the first few rounds went perfectly for me. Receiving the head-knock and then a broken collarbone has made it tough, but I’m trying to take the positives out of this; it’s making me stronger and tougher and if I’m confronted with this situation again during future championships I’ll be able to deal with it a whole lot better.

It’s been quite frustrating not being fit and healthy to defend my lead, but I know I’ll get stronger now as the season keeps progressing and my body heals up. This week was actually my first full week back riding, so I’m not as strong as I was earlier. I expect to do well at Hervey Bay, but I’m a realist and my fitness probably isn’t as good as what it should be.

These injuries definitely turned this season in a heartbeat and have had a massive impact on my racing.

Tye Simmonds announcing his retirement…

I’m devoed about it. I spoke with Tye the night I found out and had a good chat with him. Tye and I are great mates and I have a bunch of respect for him. We raced each other since we were 12 years old and had some of the biggest battles I’ve ever had. But as well as being massive rivals we were great mates with a lot of respect for each other.

I’m disappointed that he’s retiring, but after speaking to him, he’s got a plan. The spark has gone, and he has to go back to his roots and find out what works for him. I have no doubt he’ll be back and will be stronger than ever with his dad Greg by his side. I hope I can race him in the future.

Waters is hopeful of a continued improvement in race fitness as the races tick over. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Giving Motocross of Nations priority over Supercross…

If I got selected to ride the Motocross of Nations I would definitely give it preference over the first two rounds of the Australian Supercross Championship in Darwin, as they fall at a very similar time. My goal is to race in Europe and we’re trying to sort something out for after the MX Nationals. Nothing is set in stone at the moment; we’re still talking, but there are some big things happening that could involve quite a long period of time. I can’t say any more than that!

The quality of opposition this year…

The MX1 field has been great and is getting stronger every year. Adam Monea and Kirk Gibbs have really stepped up as rookies, and all the guys are hungry for podiums. It’s lifting the sport to a new level here, which is great to see. Before my injuries I’d won almost every race, but I’m we could’ve matched the speed of the Suzuki riders. Moss and Cooper are riding really well at the moment and I’m looking forward to racing the last half of the season with them.

The pros and cons of the MXD class…

It’s a tough subject as I can see both sides of the argument. I’ve always said you need to step up or you’re never going to get better, but for the 16-year-old fresh out of juniors, the MXD class is a great way to learn the tracks, get an idea of what it’s like to race at a professional level, and fight for the opportunity to getting factory support.

I have no problems with riders using MXD to find their feet for a year, then jumping up to MX2 like Kayne Lamont did this year, but I think it’s ridiculous when some kids stay there for two or three years and only leave when they get kicked out. I think it would be perfect if the class was limited to Under 18 instead of Under 19, as it will give younger kids the opportunity to taste glory instead of the older trophy-hunters sitting there racking up wins.