Motorex KTM Racing’s Todd Waters admits he’s benefitting from the strong competition in former teammate Cody Cooper as they battle it out during the 2013 New Zealand Motocross Championship.

In preparation for the upcoming Monster Energy MX Nationals series, Waters and his Motorex KTM crew are using the New Zealand races to gain vital seat time in order to hit round one at their peak.

Former NZ champion Cooper, also preparing for the MX Nationals with Suzuki, has been in fine form during the first two rounds of the series clinching both MX1 wins, and Waters is relishing in the challenge.

“Coops and I had some really good races together,” said Waters. “I had some lines that were better and I’d pass him but then he’d follow for a bit and get me back.

“In the end I had nothing for him so hats off to him for beating me. I have a really good relationship with him and I think that makes for good racing.”

Waters believes that this rivalry is exactly what he needed in preparation for the upcoming season, providing vast improvements in bike development throughout as he adapts to the 450 SX-F.

“I’m loving racing here as preparation for the nationals – if we came and just smoked it wouldn’t be any good to us at all,” Waters added. “Good solid racing is what we’re after so to have Coops riding really as we develop the bike is helping a bunch.”

After suffering a mechanical issue at round one, Waters currently sits third overall in the championship standings, 30 points behind series leader Cooper.