Husqvarna factory MXGP regulars Dean Ferris and Todd Waters will enter this month’s 2015 FIM Motocross of Nations at Ernee, France, in a buoyant mood after a strong world championship assault this year.

Ferris, who is currently 12th in the standings aboard his Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing FC 350, turned heads in the 2013 MXoN when he finished second in the MX2 class, helping Australia to a spectacular fourth place.

“Being selected is an honour, but it also means you’ve been chosen as one of the best Australian motocross riders and that in itself is worth all the hard work that goes into your training,” Ferris explained.

“For myself, it can be a really rewarding weekend as I have some really good settings for that surface on my FC 350. As a team I think we are the darkhorses and with some good luck, we can achieve a top five result.

“It’s funny how Todd and I are still racing each other on the other side of the planet; even here we seem to find each other on the track. Nowadays we say g’day to each other and have a yarn every now and then – I have a lot more respect for him as a racer as I’ve matured myself.”

Waters, who rides for the Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing team and currently sits 10th in this year’s world championship on his FC 450, has twice previously represented Australia at the MXoN, but missed last year’s event due to injury.

“To be picked to represent your country is always a special thing,” Waters commented. “It’s something every rider dreams of and trains so hard to be a part of. This year’s MXoN is going to be a ripper event. I have been told a bunch of Aussies are coming this year to support the team and I think with Dean, Jay [Wilson] and myself we have a strong team.

“For me this is my first [full] season racing in Europe and with all the tracks being new to me I think it’s no different with French MXoN track. I have had some good results this year and with Dean and Jay as teammates I think we have a strong team. With a little luck on our side I’m sure a good result will come.

“Dean and I have been racing closely for years now and have had our problems, as any rivals do, but we have a strong rivalry and respect that. We get on fine and it’s not the first time we have been teammates in green and gold.

“I have been friends with Jay for a long time now and am pumped for him to make the team and be able to experience the special feeling of racing the MXoN. Overall I think we have a great team and I’m pumped to go racing.”

Waters (MX1) and Ferris (Open) will be partnered on 26-27 September in France by JCR Yamaha’s newly-crowned MX Nationals MX2 champion Jay Wilson.