Currently leading the Pro Open class at the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing’s Todd Waters will be looking to extend his 13-point lead at the third round when the series visits Broadford in Victoria on Sunday.

With reigning Champ and CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider Jay Marmont breathing down his neck, Waters is well aware of the challenges ahead.

“I’m feeling pretty excited to have the red plate, but there’s a long way to go yet and I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” Waters said. “Jay will be my biggest competition this weekend – he’s Mr. Consistent, he’s always there, week in week out and it’s won him two championships so he’s going to be tough to beat.

“Then you’ve got the likes of Tye Simmonds, I’ve raced him for years, and Dean Ferris as well, so there are definitely a few guys who are going to be quick.”

While the physical demands of racing are obvious, coping with the pressure of the red leader plate is something that the Queenslander takes very seriously.

“I don’t want to let the pressure get to me so I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and try to keep the ball rolling,” he continued. “Last year I came out strong but with an injury that meant I could walk for 14 week I ended up doing a lot of work with a sports psychologist – stepping back and looking at the situation.

“Before when I raced I always wanted to win – and a lot of the younger riders tend to do that – we want to win every single race. But in trying to win every single race rather than settle for second or third place, we keep going hard and crash and finish in fifth place or worse instead.

“You have to learn to take the win with both hands if it comes and if it doesn’t then take the points you can get – it’s something I’m really starting to appreciate. Riding with Jay Marmont and those guys in the Pro Opens class – there’s a lot of older riders and it makes it tough, they’ve been there and done it and I’ve got to catch onto that quickly.

“Their experience is giving them the upper hand – they don’t seem to have the raw speed that the young guys do but they definitely have the experience.”

The third round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be held this Sunday at Broadford’s State Motorcycle Sports Complex in Victoria.