Ferris anticipating 'friendly' resumption of Waters rivalry in MXGP
Dean Ferris is looking forward to racing against fellow Aussie Todd Waters in the 2014 MXGP World Championship and expects the pair to resume their long-running rivalry on friendly terms as they chase success in the premier class.
Dean Ferris will graduate from MX2 to MXGP in 2014, putting him in a direct battle with fellow Aussie Todd Waters.
Dean Ferris is looking forward to racing against fellow Aussie Todd Waters in the 2014 MXGP World Championship and expects the pair to resume their long-running rivalry on friendly terms as they chase success in the premier class.
Ferris will graduate to the newly-named MXGP ranks with Dixon Yamaha next year following a breakthrough season where he was able to score four podium placings, including a career-first round win, achieved in Belgium.
In an interview with MotoOnline’s European partner publication MXlarge, Ferris said he was pleased to learn of Waters’ selection with Red Bull ICEONE Husqvarna Factory Racing and felt the move would spur both riders on to achieve top results.
“When I was heard he was coming over I was pretty pumped, because we go way back to juniors on 125s when we were 14 years old,” said Ferris. “Ever since then, it has been pretty much me and him always fighting and battling with each other.
“We’ve got a pretty healthy rivalry. We can’t stand being beaten by each other and I think that’s going to push us even higher.”
Ferris attributes some of his success directly to the rivalry the duo enjoyed on a domestic level as they sought to better each other’s results at any chance given.
“He’s half the reason why I made it this far, because I wanted to beat him so much, and he would push, and I would push,” Ferris added. “It’s good that we’re racing each other again, because I’m sure that it’s going to elevate us both.”
Much like the rivalry between Chad Reed and the late Andrew McFarlane, Ferris felt that the move would foster a natural friendship, even if both riders were still striving to beat each other.
“It’s hard to be best mates, because we’re both gunning for the same thing, but it’d be nice to have an Aussie here and just to talk to,” he said. “I think he’s going to bring his girlfriend too so my girlfriend and his can hang out as two Aussie chicks.
“Whether it’s just mountain biking or something, it’d be cool, just so I can speak the lingo to someone.”
Their next meeting, however, will be as teammates as they join Brett Metcalfe as Australia’s representatives at next week’s2013 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Teutschenthal in Germany.
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