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Popular Queenslander Todd Waters has revealed he’ll make a full-time return to the Australian circuit this season with DPH Motorsport Husqvarna after racing internationally in 2018.

Waters, who landed a guest ride with Honda HRC in the MXGP World Championship last year, expressed his intentions in October to race this year’s AMA Pro Motocross Championship as a privateer as initially planned for the 2018 season, although he admits talks commenced with Honda in Australia before ultimately falling flat in December.

The 28-year-old hasn’t ruled out racing the highly-desired American championship, insisting he plans to make appearances at select rounds during the seven-week break of the Pirelli MX Nationals.

The move marks a return to Husqvarna machinery, the number 47 being one of the first factory Husqvarna riders in the world championship under KTM ownership in 2014, which saw him score his first grand prix podium at Maggiora, Italy, in 2015.

“It was pretty last minute – I was dedicated to Honda and doing a program with those guys, but nothing was set in stone and it got to December, so I started to look elsewhere,” Waters explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I turned down everything to be with Honda when I returned from Europe, but nothing came of it. Then an opportunity came up with Husqvarna and DPH Motorsport.

“I’m pretty excited to be back with Husqvarna, because when KTM bought out Husqvarna, I was one of the first riders to represent the brand on the world stage. I know all the guys internally, I know all about the brand, so it’s nice to represent them here in Australia. The plan is to both the motocross and supercross championship with Husqvarna, and the plan is to also head over and do a couple of AMA rounds in the break.”

Waters, an immediate title threat this season, will make his first public appearance aboard the all-new 2019 FC 450 this weekend at the bLU cRU Coffs Harbour Stadium MX in New South Wales, where a number of high-profile contenders will appear, including Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy), Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) and Aaron Tanti (Serco Yamaha).

“I’ve spent two days on the bike, and I thought I’d break up the drive on the way up and race there,” he added. “I haven’t raced one of these local races for a long time, and I’m going to try and get out and do state titles and some local races – get back to my roots and enjoy the family atmoshphere of out sport.”

MotoOnline.com.au gained confirmation from Wilson Todd on Monday that he will return to DPH Motorsport this season to defend his MX2 crown, while it’s understood MXD champion Bailey Malkiewicz will also join the Victorian-based operation, making for a powerhouse outfit in 2019.