5 titles and counting: Josh Waters on his ASBK journey – Interview

Josh Waters

2025 Australian Superbike Champion
Interview

At 35, Josh Waters stands as one of the vital achieved riders in Australian Superbike historical past. Josh not too long ago added a fifth ASBK title to a profession constructed on adaptability, resilience, and unwavering competitiveness.

Waters’ first three championships got here with Suzuki; the latest crown of his GSX-R1000 period got here in 2017.

Josh continued to ship robust outcomes by means of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, ending fourth and fifth, respectively, earlier than Suzuki withdrew from the sequence on the finish of 2019. Undeterred, Waters assembled his personal privateer Suzuki program for 2020 and nonetheless managed to safe fifth within the standings.

A transfer to BCperformance for 2021 positioned him aboard the ZX-10RR, however the mixture by no means totally clicked. The interval that adopted, nevertheless, set the foundations for what would grow to be one of many standout chapters of his profession.

Waters rebuilt, regrouped, and in the end returned to the entrance with renewed function, culminating in his newest back-to-back championship success and reinforcing his and McMartin Ducati’s standing as the present benchmark for home Superbike racing in Australia.

As he displays on the journey to title quantity 5, Waters presents perception into the highs, the setbacks, and the choices that formed his return to the highest, how he has managed to remain there, and his plans to remain on high.

Josh Waters Interviewed

MCNews: 5 titles….How does this one really feel in comparison with the others?

Josh Waters: “5 titles nonetheless sounds superior after I hear somebody say it. Each championship has a particular which means; for instance, final yr was much more emotional as a result of I’d been at low factors in my profession in the course of the seven years in between successful championships. I had a gaggle of people that believed in me. This yr, my group set me a listing of issues they wished me to enhance on doing, and I used to be capable of do issues higher/get out of my consolation zone, and this was actually satisfying.”

MCNews: Was there a single turning level this season once you thought, ‘Yep, we are able to win this?’

Waters: “I knew the Queensland rounds had been going to be arduous like at all times. After Spherical 4, I assumed we may.”

MCNews: What was essentially the most difficult race of the season for you mentally, and why?

Waters: “Positively One Raceway. I may have claimed the championship that weekend, and I simply didn’t journey in addition to I did on the different rounds. Trying again now, I ought to have simply relaxed.”

MCNews: How has your method to championship campaigns developed out of your first title to your fifth?

Waters: “My first yr, it was loads completely different. I used to be racing for a producer; it was my first full yr racing the Superbike. I didn’t really feel as a lot strain, I made a reasonably good wage, and I didn’t actually should work an everyday job.

“Now the racing is loads completely different, I’ve to work a full-time job, try to discover sponsors. Of whom I’m very appreciative, and of all of the individuals who help me, and I then have to coach earlier than or after work. Have a household, too, and the children have issues on most days now. However my ardour and drive are greater than ever; that’s how I make it work.”

MCNews: Did you enter 2025 believing you had been the favorite, or did you continue to see your self because the hunter relatively than the hunted?

Waters: “My rivals all enter the yr considering they’ve probability of successful. I by no means thought I used to be the favorite, I simply wished to do one of the best I may. Perhaps a number of circuits similar to Phillip Island I really feel like I’m the hunter, however my rivals are the identical at circuits they’ve had a lot of success at.”

Bike, Group & Technical Perception

MCNews: What’s one change your group made this yr that doesn’t sound like a lot on paper however made a major distinction on observe?

Waters: “Ah, possibly being extra sincere with me and telling me, ‘hey, you’ll be able to assist your self greater than we are able to.’ I feel that reveals the connection I’ve with my group.”

MCNews: How completely different was your bike set-up philosophy this yr in comparison with final?

Waters: “I don’t suppose it was too completely different. I simply did issues to enhance in areas I wanted to, and the group modified the bike to assist me. However I don’t suppose it was evening and day completely different.”

MCNews: In case you needed to describe your bike’s behaviour in three phrases, what would they be?

Waters: “Planted. Easy. Quick.”

MCNews: What’s one space of using or set-up the place you are feeling you gained essentially the most this season?

Waters: “Working with the group to get out of my consolation zone to get one of the best out of me in locations I wanted to enhance in.”

MCNews: Is there a technical weak point you’re nonetheless not happy with, even after successful the title?

Waters: “There are at all times areas you’ll be able to enhance on. For every circuit, I already know what I have to work on to enhance. Every bike has strengths and weaknesses, as do riders.”

Mindset, Preparation & Strain

MCNews: At this level in your profession, do big-race nerves nonetheless hit you want they at all times have, or do they manifest somewhat in a different way now?

Waters: “I nonetheless hate the sensation you expertise sitting on the grid, earlier than the race. However now I can’t wait to really feel that once more. I assume that’s signal that I nonetheless need to do it. Perhaps I couldn’t put as a lot strain on myself and luxuriate in it. I’m going loads higher after I’m extra relaxed.”

MCNews: What did you sacrifice this yr that most people by no means sees?

Waters: “Household issues I miss out on. My son’s first motorcycle race. Morgan Park testing to say goodbye to an in depth mate. If I’m away racing, I make up for these days after I’m again residence the next weekends – working.”

MCNews: Have you ever realized something new about your self throughout this championship run?

Waters: “Sure, positively this yr I’ve learnt issues about myself that I imagine will assist me in life. And I’ve to say a giant thanks to my group for serving to me uncover this.”

MCNews: That head damage whereas testing at Willow Springs again in 2010. A few of these closest to you informed me that modified you considerably, with reference to a couple character traits. Is that right, and if that’s the case, how so?

Waters: “Sure, I’ll always remember that, effectively, I don’t keep in mind it or what occurred, nonetheless to today, however I’ll always remember that chance. I had dreamt of racing there endlessly. I then had the possibility to journey for one of the best group within the historical past of that championship. I assume after that, I used to be depressed and indignant with myself. What possibly may have been. That’s life, I assume. I had frontal lobe harm from that accident, which impacts persona, judgement and self-control, which ends up in temper swings, impulsivity and reminiscence points. Though hidden lots of the time, I’ve labored actually arduous to beat these.”

Rivalries & The Discipline

MCNews: Which rivals pushed you the toughest this season, and the way?

Waters: “Mike Jones over the yr was my hardest rival, so robust at every circuit, and when it issues, at all times is ready to step up. Broc Pearson within the moist at Phillip Island was additionally extraordinarily good. The tempo we had been doing in these situations was subsequent degree.”

MCNews: Was there a second from a competitor that genuinely impressed you or caught you off guard?

Waters: “Anthony West at Spherical Six Phillip Island, his tempo in apply and qualifying was so quick. Westy and his group did an excellent job and made their bike work round there.”

MCNews: In case you may take one ability from any present ASBK rider, whose would it not be and why?

Waters: “Cru Halliday’s pace when it issues, and Mike Jones at all times finds a option to be robust come race time.”

Behind the Scenes

MCNews: Who in your group deserves extra recognition than they get?

Waters: “Everybody within the group does a tremendous job. I’m going to be a suck right here, however positively the lunch girls deserve extra recognition.” 

MCNews: What’s the funniest second from the storage this yr that followers by no means obtained to see?

Waters: “Must be from the ultimate spherical. Nice viewing at The Bend from the fitting spots, I used to be at all times asking, ‘how do I take a look at this flip or that flip’. I used to be using round and on the pit board they had been placing the hole I had on the bloke behind me, for instance .36. After every session I didn’t carry it up I simply thought far out they’re sensible how they’ll work out I would like to enhance on turns 3 and 6.

“Within the final free apply Saturday morning, I had .28. After the session, I used to be like, guys, how the hell are you able to see I’m dropping time on observe at flip 2. They mentioned ‘what are you on about,’ I mentioned, oh yesterday I used to be studying I had to enhance in turns 3 and 6 and yea it actually helped however look I really feel like I’m fairly good by means of these two turns. They mentioned, ‘Oh, Josh, that’s the hole behind you, not the turns, haha.’”

MCNews: What’s one thing you suppose most riders from earlier eras misunderstand about racing these newest high-tech bikes?

Waters: “Perhaps folks suppose with the brand new model of bikes, you’ll be able to simply be a monkey and get away with homicide with the aids. However like all issues, you shortly discover the bounds and want or need extra.”

Motivation & Future

MCNews: Are you continue to racing to win, or racing since you love the grind? Or each?

Waters: “I do love the sensation of successful.”

MCNews: Not like many riders who pedal the massive kilometres on bicycles to keep up their health, from what I’ve seen, your routine appears much more rounded than most, with a give attention to all areas of power, significantly core. You’re a little bit of a tank by means of the mid-section! Take us by means of a little bit of your program and the way you developed your personal strategies there.

Waters: “Properly, lots of my coaching program relies round what I can really do with the time I’ve accessible in a day. I’ve to work, I begin bloody early within the morning, so if I had been to cycle, for instance, I’d should go for a journey at 3 am. I’m lucky {that a} regular day at work is no less than 15,000 steps. The coaching I do is extra cardio and physique weight workout routines, the native health club ‘The Yard’ has an excellent program that has actually helped me. I additionally run, however not marathons. I additionally do Pilates with my 65+ woman pals, and it helps my core. I really feel this works finest for me.”

MCNews: Residing and dealing in Mildura, I think about there are fewer alternatives so that you can get entangled in mentoring younger riders discovering their toes in street racing. It’s not as if you’ll be able to simply pop down the street to lend Wayne (Maxwell) and the boys a hand with the MiniGP nights or that sort of factor. However are there any of the children that you simply do mentor indirectly when you’ll be able to?

Waters: “Yeah, residing in Mildura, I’m a bit out of the loop with with the ability to be concerned in these teaching/coaching packages. Wayne does an excellent job, and I feel it’s actually good how he’s serving to the children attempt to stay their desires. If anybody ever asks for assist, I’m at all times completely satisfied to assist.”

MCNews: I coated a few of your dust observe success again within the day, however I first met you correctly at a Supermoto occasion down in Bairnsdale once you had simply turned 16. Now, if you happen to may return to that occasion and provides the 16-year-old Josh Waters one piece of recommendation, what would it not be?

Waters: “It’s loads more durable than it seems, it prices loads, and the group and tools you’ve gotten round you might be essential. Dream large, however have a practical dream with what your loved ones can afford to do.”

What do you continue to need to obtain within the sport?

MCNews: Is there something you need to enhance for 2026, even after successful the title?

Waters: “You possibly can by no means cease enhancing; that is among the issues that has given me motivation this yr to be higher.”

MCNews: Who do you see as the largest risk for subsequent yr’s championship?

Waters: “It’s arduous to select one particular person. I see everybody as my primary competitors in the beginning of the yr.”

MCNews: Would you ever think about returning abroad for a wildcard or one-off journey?

Waters: “Yeah, I’d be eager. Perhaps Suzuka once more, if it didn’t conflict with one thing right here. In an ideal world, it could be superior to take my group and compete in an ARRC spherical. That will be cool.”

MCNews: Do you continue to have the identical starvation you had chasing title primary? If that’s the case, what fuels it?

Waters: “I positively have that starvation. I stay and breathe racing. I’m nonetheless not fearful of the pace, and I nonetheless get a thrill out of it. I assume that’s my drug.”

On MotoGP and World Superbike

MCNews: What are you most trying ahead to in World Superbike subsequent yr?

Waters: “What number of races Bulega will win.”

MCNews: And MotoGP?

Waters: “What number of races Marc Marquez will win, and watching Toprak.”

MCNews: If this title had a soundtrack, what music would characterize it?

Waters: “Mmm, let me suppose. Final yr’s music was excellent for what I’d been by means of – Don’t Cease Believing. This yr, I’m unsure.”

MCNews: What’s one thing completely non-bike-related that saved you sane this season?

Waters: “Simple. Cooking.”

MCNews: Do you’ve gotten any pre-race rituals that might shock folks?

Waters: “Sure, I do the identical stretches, put handfuls of deep warmth on myself that appears to kick in after the race and makes me really feel on hearth, and contact items of wooden about 300 occasions earlier than I get on the bike.”

MCNews: What’s one fable about you that you simply’d wish to set the document straight on?

Waters: “I’m unsure if there are any myths?

MCNews: What’s the weirdest or most memorable fan interplay you’ve had this yr?

Waters: “On the closing spherical, my spouse mentioned Hey, we must always look about doing a set, someplace folks may hang around which might be coming over to help you. I used to be like, “Oh, you’d be fortunate to get 25.” She by no means marketed it; she simply requested a few folks. We needed to cap it at 150 folks as that’s all of the room may take. Surreal feeling to have that many individuals in a room supporting me.”

MCNews: Is there a query you want interviewers would ask you, however by no means do?

Waters: “How’s life within the window detailing enterprise?”

The lady behind the person….
Gin Waters

MCNews: Gin, I’ve touched on Josh’s expertise within the kitchen in interviews earlier than, however what’s one different factor about Josh that these of us within the racing group could be most shocked by? Properly, one are you able to share with us no less than!

Gin: “That’s true, he’s very helpful within the kitchen! He has a really dry sense of humour, and he usually leaves folks guessing whether or not he’s critical or not. He additionally has a powerful moon stroll.”

MCNews: Who takes after Josh essentially the most, Izzy or Lenny?

Gin: “Each children have lots of Josh in them. Izzy has his wit and sense of humour. Lenny’s inherited his competitiveness, dance strikes and his time administration expertise – Josh and Lenny run on Josh and Lenny time!”

MCNews: You and Josh have been collectively a very long time now, and married for greater than a decade, he was a bike racer earlier than you knew him and has remained a bike racer all through. Everyone knows the dangers concerned, and also you, greater than anybody, know the struggles Josh has endured with accidents. Not solely the bodily toll that it takes, but additionally the psychological anguish that it entails. Have you ever ever suggested him that it could be time to offer it away, or have a view on when that could be that you simply may care to share?

Gin: “I imagine Josh has continued to develop as a rider, and his health is best than ever. I’ve seen him at his absolute low, with accidents and a few race seasons that weren’t going how he had hoped, and the consequences are enormous. So, to see him so completely satisfied and having fun with racing now, and to be so comfy along with his group, is actually wonderful. I don’t need him to offer that up till he feels able to bow out.”

“It’s one thing all of us love as a household, the children know no completely different it’s simply what dad does and we go from successful races on the weekend, to being regular household on Monday morning, when the children are off to high school and we’re again into work and whereas he’s on a excessive, it doesn’t negatively have an effect on our day-to-day life. He’s such a gift, nice dad when he’s residence, and I need him to maintain doing what makes him completely satisfied so long as he feels good about it.”

Conclusion

Waters’ fifth Australian Superbike Championship is greater than one other quantity on an already spectacular résumé. It displays a rider who has tailored to altering equipment, shifting group environments, and a aggressive panorama that grows sharper every year.

His potential to stay a constant power on the entrance of ASBK speaks not solely to his expertise however to the professionalism and endurance which have outlined his profession. Can he make it six in 26’….

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