Five titles and counting: Josh Waters on his ASBK ...

Josh Waters

2025 Australian Superbike Champion
Interview

At 35, Josh Waters stands as probably the most completed riders in Australian Superbike historical past. Josh lately added a fifth ASBK title to a profession constructed on adaptability, resilience, and unwavering competitiveness.

Waters’ first three championships got here with Suzuki; the latest crown of his GSX-R1000 period got here in 2017.

Josh continued to ship robust outcomes by means of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, ending fourth and fifth, respectively, earlier than Suzuki withdrew from the collection on the finish of 2019. Undeterred, Waters assembled his personal privateer Suzuki program for 2020 and nonetheless managed to safe fifth within the standings.

A transfer to BCperformance for 2021 positioned him aboard the ZX-10RR, however the mixture by no means totally clicked. The interval that adopted, nevertheless, set the foundations for what would change into one of many standout chapters of his profession.

Waters rebuilt, regrouped, and in the end returned to the entrance with renewed function, culminating in his newest back-to-back championship success and reinforcing his and McMartin Ducati’s standing as the present benchmark for home Superbike racing in Australia.

As he displays on the journey to title quantity 5, Waters provides perception into the highs, the setbacks, and the selections that formed his return to the highest, how he has managed to remain there, and his plans to remain on prime.

Josh Waters Interviewed

MCNews: 5 titles….How does this one really feel in comparison with the others?

Josh Waters: “5 titles nonetheless sounds superior once I hear somebody say it. Each championship has a particular that means; for instance, final yr was much more emotional as a result of I’d been at low factors in my profession throughout the seven years in between profitable championships. I had a gaggle of people that believed in me. This yr, my group set me a listing of issues they wished me to enhance on doing, and I used to be capable of do issues higher/get out of my consolation zone, and this was actually satisfying.”

MCNews: Was there a single turning level this season whenever you thought, ‘Yep, we are able to win this?’

Waters: “I knew the Queensland rounds had been going to be laborious like at all times. After Spherical 4, I believed we might.”

MCNews: What was probably the most difficult race of the season for you mentally, and why?

Waters: “Undoubtedly One Raceway. I might have claimed the championship that weekend, and I simply didn’t journey in addition to I did on the different rounds. Wanting again now, I ought to have simply relaxed.”

MCNews: How has your method to championship campaigns developed out of your first title to your fifth?

Waters: “My first yr, it was loads totally different. I used to be racing for a producer; it was my first full yr racing the Superbike. I didn’t really feel as a lot stress, I made a reasonably good wage, and I didn’t actually must work an everyday job.

“Now the racing is loads totally different, I’ve to work a full-time job, try to discover sponsors. Of whom I’m very appreciative, and of all of the individuals who help me, and I then have to coach earlier than or after work. Have a household, too, and the youngsters have issues on most days now. However my ardour and drive are greater than ever; that’s how I make it work.”

MCNews: Did you enter 2025 believing you had been the favorite, or did you continue to see your self because the hunter reasonably than the hunted?

Waters: “My rivals all enter the yr pondering they’ve an excellent likelihood of profitable. I by no means thought I used to be the favorite, I simply wished to do the most effective I might. Possibly a number of circuits similar to Phillip Island I really feel like I’m the hunter, however my rivals are the identical at circuits they’ve had a lot of success at.”

Bike, Crew & Technical Perception

MCNews: What’s one change your group made this yr that doesn’t sound like a lot on paper however made a major distinction on observe?

Waters: “Ah, possibly being extra trustworthy with me and telling me, ‘hey, you’ll be able to assist your self greater than we are able to.’ I feel that exhibits the connection I’ve with my group.”

MCNews: How totally different was your bike set-up philosophy this yr in comparison with final?

Waters: “I don’t assume it was too totally different. I simply did issues to enhance in areas I wanted to, and the group modified the bike to assist me. However I don’t assume it was evening and day totally different.”

MCNews: When you needed to describe your bike’s behaviour in three phrases, what would they be?

Waters: “Planted. Clean. Quick.”

MCNews: What’s one space of driving or set-up the place you are feeling you gained probably the most this season?

Waters: “Working with the group to get out of my consolation zone to get the most effective out of me in locations I wanted to enhance in.”

MCNews: Is there a technical weak spot you’re nonetheless not happy with, even after profitable the title?

Waters: “There are at all times areas you’ll be able to enhance on. For every circuit, I already know what I have to work on to enhance. Every bike has strengths and weaknesses, as do riders.”

Mindset, Preparation & Strain

MCNews: At this level in your profession, do big-race nerves nonetheless hit you want they at all times have, or do they manifest a bit in a different way now?

Waters: “I nonetheless hate the sensation you expertise sitting on the grid, earlier than the race. However now I can’t wait to really feel that once more. I assume that’s an excellent signal that I nonetheless wish to do it. Possibly I couldn’t put as a lot stress on myself and luxuriate in it. I am going loads higher once I’m extra relaxed.”

MCNews: What did you sacrifice this yr that most people by no means sees?

Waters: “Household issues I miss out on. My son’s first motorcycle race. Morgan Park testing to say goodbye to a detailed mate. If I’m away racing, I make up for these days once I’m again dwelling the next weekends – working.”

MCNews: Have you ever realized something new about your self throughout this championship run?

Waters: “Sure, undoubtedly this yr I’ve learnt issues about myself that I imagine will assist me in life. And I’ve to say a giant thanks to my group for serving to me uncover this.”

MCNews: That head damage whereas testing at Willow Springs again in 2010. A few of these closest to you informed me that modified you considerably, with reference to a couple character traits. Is that right, and in that case, how so?

Waters: “Sure, I’ll always remember that, properly, I don’t bear in mind it or what occurred, nonetheless to today, however I’ll always remember that chance. I had dreamt of racing there ceaselessly. I then had the possibility to journey for the most effective group within the historical past of that championship. I assume after that, I used to be depressed and indignant with myself. What possibly might have been. That’s life, I assume. I had frontal lobe harm from that accident, which impacts character, judgement and self-control, which results in temper swings, impulsivity and reminiscence points. Though hidden lots of the time, I’ve labored actually laborious to beat these.”

Rivalries & The Discipline

MCNews: Which rivals pushed you the toughest this season, and the way?

Waters: “Mike Jones over the yr was my hardest rival, so robust at every circuit, and when it issues, at all times is ready to step up. Broc Pearson within the moist at Phillip Island was additionally extraordinarily good. The tempo we had been doing in these situations was subsequent stage.”

MCNews: Was there a second from a competitor that genuinely impressed you or caught you off guard?

Waters: “Anthony West at Spherical Six Phillip Island, his tempo in follow and qualifying was so quick. Westy and his group did a terrific job and made their bike work round there.”

MCNews: When you might take one ability from any present ASBK rider, whose would it not be and why?

Waters: “Cru Halliday’s velocity when it issues, and Mike Jones at all times finds a strategy to be robust come race time.”

Behind the Scenes

MCNews: Who in your group deserves extra recognition than they get?

Waters: “Everybody within the group does a tremendous job. I’m going to be a suck right here, however undoubtedly the lunch girls deserve extra recognition.” 

MCNews: What’s the funniest second from the storage this yr that followers by no means acquired to see?

Waters: “Must be from the ultimate spherical. Nice viewing at The Bend from the correct spots, I used to be at all times asking, ‘how do I have a look at this flip or that flip’. I used to be driving round and on the pit board they had been placing the hole I had on the bloke behind me, for instance .36. After every session I didn’t carry it up I simply thought far out they’re sensible how they will work out I want to enhance on turns 3 and 6.

“Within the final free follow Saturday morning, I had .28. After the session, I used to be like, guys, how the hell are you able to see I’m shedding time on observe at flip 2. They stated ‘what are you on about,’ I stated, oh yesterday I used to be studying I had to enhance in turns 3 and 6 and yea it actually helped however look I really feel like I’m fairly good by means of these two turns. They stated, ‘Oh, Josh, that’s the hole behind you, not the turns, haha.’”

MCNews: What’s one thing you assume most riders from earlier eras misunderstand about racing these newest high-tech bikes?

Waters: “Possibly folks assume with the brand new type of bikes, you’ll be able to simply be a monkey and get away with homicide with the aids. However like all issues, you rapidly discover the boundaries and want or need extra.”

Motivation & Future

MCNews: Are you continue to racing to win, or racing since you love the grind? Or each?

Waters: “I do love the sensation of profitable.”

MCNews: In contrast to many riders who pedal the large kilometres on bicycles to take care of their health, from what I’ve seen, your routine appears much more rounded than most, with a concentrate on all areas of power, significantly core. You’re a little bit of a tank by means of the mid-section! Take us by means of a little bit of your program and the way you developed your personal strategies there.

Waters: “Effectively, lots of my coaching program relies round what I can truly do with the time I’ve obtainable in a day. I’ve to work, I begin bloody early within the morning, so if I had been to cycle, for instance, I’d must go for a journey at 3 am. I’m lucky {that a} regular day at work is at the least 15,000 steps. The coaching I do is extra cardio and physique weight workout routines, the native fitness center ‘The Yard’ has a terrific program that has actually helped me. I additionally run, however not marathons. I additionally do Pilates with my 65+ woman buddies, and it helps my core. I really feel this works greatest for me.”

MCNews: Residing and dealing in Mildura, I think about there are fewer alternatives so that you can become involved in mentoring younger riders discovering their ft in street racing. It’s not as if you’ll be able to simply pop down the street to lend Wayne (Maxwell) and the boys a hand with the MiniGP nights or that sort of factor. However are there any of the children that you just do mentor not directly when you’ll be able to?

Waters: “Yeah, residing in Mildura, I’m a bit out of the loop with with the ability to be concerned in these teaching/coaching packages. Wayne does a terrific job, and I feel it’s actually good how he’s serving to the youngsters attempt to stay their goals. If anybody ever asks for assist, I’m at all times pleased to assist.”

MCNews: I coated a few of your grime observe success again within the day, however I first met you correctly at a Supermoto occasion down in Bairnsdale whenever you had simply turned 16. Now, should you might return to that occasion and provides the 16-year-old Josh Waters one piece of recommendation, what would it not be?

Waters: “It’s loads more durable than it appears, it prices loads, and the group and gear you’ve got round you’re essential. Dream massive, however have a sensible dream with what your loved ones can afford to do.”

What do you continue to wish to obtain within the sport?

MCNews: Is there something you wish to enhance for 2026, even after profitable the title?

Waters: “You may by no means cease enhancing; that is likely one of the issues that has given me motivation this yr to be higher.”

MCNews: Who do you see as the most important risk for subsequent yr’s championship?

Waters: “It’s laborious to select one particular person. I see everybody as my foremost competitors at first of the yr.”

MCNews: Would you ever contemplate returning abroad for a wildcard or one-off journey?

Waters: “Yeah, I’d be eager. Possibly Suzuka once more, if it didn’t conflict with one thing right here. In an ideal world, it might be superior to take my group and compete in an ARRC spherical. That may be cool.”

MCNews: Do you continue to have the identical starvation you had chasing title primary? If that’s the case, what fuels it?

Waters: “I undoubtedly have that starvation. I stay and breathe racing. I’m nonetheless not petrified of the velocity, and I nonetheless get a thrill out of it. I assume that’s my drug.”

On MotoGP and World Superbike

MCNews: What are you most trying ahead to in World Superbike subsequent yr?

Waters: “What number of races Bulega will win.”

MCNews: And MotoGP?

Waters: “What number of races Marc Marquez will win, and watching Toprak.”

MCNews: If this title had a soundtrack, what music would signify it?

Waters: “Mmm, let me assume. Final yr’s music was excellent for what I’d been by means of – Don’t Cease Believing. This yr, I’m undecided.”

MCNews: What’s one thing completely non-bike-related that stored you sane this season?

Waters: “Simple. Cooking.”

MCNews: Do you’ve got any pre-race rituals that may shock folks?

Waters: “Sure, I do the identical stretches, put handfuls of deep warmth on myself that appears to kick in after the race and makes me really feel on fireplace, and contact items of wooden about 300 instances earlier than I get on the bike.”

MCNews: What’s one fantasy about you that you just’d prefer to set the report straight on?

Waters: “I’m undecided if there are any myths?

MCNews: What’s the weirdest or most memorable fan interplay you’ve had this yr?

Waters: “On the remaining spherical, my spouse stated Hey, we must always look about doing a set, someplace folks might hang around which are coming over to help you. I used to be like, “Oh, you’d be fortunate to get 25.” She by no means marketed it; she simply requested a few folks. We needed to cap it at 150 folks as that’s all of the room might take. Surreal feeling to have that many individuals in a room supporting me.”

MCNews: Is there a query you want interviewers would ask you, however by no means do?

Waters: “How’s life within the window detailing enterprise?”

The girl behind the person….
Gin Waters

MCNews: Gin, I’ve touched on Josh’s abilities within the kitchen in interviews earlier than, however what’s one different factor about Josh that these of us within the racing neighborhood is likely to be most shocked by? Effectively, one are you able to share with us at the least!

Gin: “That’s true, he’s very useful within the kitchen! He has a really dry sense of humour, and he typically leaves folks guessing whether or not he’s severe or not. He additionally has a powerful moon stroll.”

MCNews: Who takes after Josh probably the most, Izzy or Lenny?

Gin: “Each children have lots of Josh in them. Izzy has his wit and sense of humour. Lenny’s inherited his competitiveness, dance strikes and his time administration abilities – Josh and Lenny run on Josh and Lenny time!”

MCNews: You and Josh have been collectively a very long time now, and married for greater than a decade, he was a motorbike racer earlier than you knew him and has remained a motorbike racer all through. Everyone knows the dangers concerned, and also you, greater than anybody, know the struggles Josh has endured with accidents. Not solely the bodily toll that it takes, but in addition the psychological anguish that it includes. Have you ever ever suggested him that it is likely to be time to offer it away, or have a view on when that is likely to be that you just would possibly care to share?

Gin: “I imagine Josh has continued to develop as a rider, and his health is healthier than ever. I’ve seen him at his absolute low, with accidents and a few race seasons that weren’t going how he had hoped, and the consequences are large. So, to see him so pleased and having fun with racing now, and to be so comfy along with his group, is actually wonderful. I don’t need him to offer that up till he feels able to bow out.”

“It’s one thing all of us love as a household, the youngsters know no totally different it’s simply what dad does and we go from profitable races on the weekend, to being regular household on Monday morning, when the youngsters are off to high school and we’re again into work and whereas he’s on a excessive, it doesn’t negatively have an effect on our day-to-day life. He’s such a gift, nice dad when he’s dwelling, and I need him to maintain doing what makes him pleased so long as he feels good about it.”

Conclusion

Waters’ fifth Australian Superbike Championship is greater than one other quantity on an already spectacular résumé. It displays a rider who has tailored to altering equipment, shifting group environments, and a aggressive panorama that grows sharper annually.

His skill to stay a constant drive on the entrance of ASBK speaks not solely to his expertise however to the professionalism and endurance which have outlined his profession. Can he make it six in 26’….

2025 SW-Motech Superbike Championship Closing Factors

2026 ASBK Provisional Calendar