Sixth overall at Appin is a ‘good starting point’ for Todd Waters and the newly-formed Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing team, as the former national champion admitted he is still in the process of building following a limited pre-season.

Third in last year’s ProMX Championship, Waters was later injured while representing Team Australia during the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in France, which forced him to the sidelines while he recovered.

As a result, his testing time onboard the all-new 2023 FC 450 was reduced and following Wonthaggi’s shortened round one that saw no MX1 races contested, he qualified ninth in the top 10 shootout at Appin.

He charged to fourth early in moto one and finished the encounter P5 before battling the searing heat in the final back-to-back motos to land P8 after the Olympic-style scoring was factored in. With a 5-8 scorecard, Waters was just one-point shy of a top-five overall result, admittedly rebuilding confidence after the injuries last year.

“Today was just about getting a race under the belt, as we had no pre-season racing and haven’t had much time to set the bikes up,” stated Waters. “I was off the pace and didn’t have anything for the front guys, as I’m still trying to get my confidence back after dislocating my shoulder last year and coming back from the nerve damage I experienced in my fingers.

“I only got back on the bike about six weeks ago, but I’m happy with my fitness, and with how the team went. It’s a good starting point and we’ll only get stronger from here.”

Appin also marked the first complete round for the Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing team which is Husqvarna’s outsourced factory Australian Motocross and Supercross effort.

The team is managed by Waters and also features Blake Fox in MX2 – who was 22nd overall at Appin after being able to complete the second moto – while Liam Owens and Jack Mather receive support in MX3, the pair finishing second and fourth overall in class respectively at round two.