Talented North Queensland rising star Todd Waters, 20, will switch to Motul Pirelli Suzuki for 2012, signing to contest the Australian Motocross and Supercross Championships aboard an RM-Z450 in the premier Pro Open category.

One of the worst kept secrets of the current silly season, Waters’ signing with Suzuki was confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au by team manager Jay Foreman and Waters at Wollongong’s second round of Super X on Saturday evening.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing boss Yarrive Konksy revealed to MotoOnline earlier this month that Waters would be parting ways with Honda’s factory team despite scoring two podiums to round out the MX Nationals season earlier this year.

Instead, Honda has locked in British Motocross Champion Brad Anderson to lead its Pro Open campaign, with a second rider yet to be finalised by the team at this stage.

Suzuki currently has Super X series leader Daniel McCoy riding its lone Pro Open title contender, but he’s yet to renew a deal for 2012. In recent seasons, Suzuki has fielded just one Pro Open and Pro Lites entry in each class.

If the team does opt to expand to two Pro Open bikes for next season, Kiwi champion Cody Cooper is also a leading candidate for the position alongside McCoy after two promising seasons outdoors with the team in 2010 and 2011.

Stay tuned for more as teams across the board finalise their rider line-ups for next season throughout the Super X series.