Image: Supplied.

Former Australian MX1 champion and longtime international Todd Waters has formally announced his retirement leading into today’s final two motos of the 2026 season.

Waters, 35, will call time on his full-time career following the Queensland Moto Park finale of Penrite ProMX this afternoon, following two decades of racing professionally.

“For me, it’s time,” Waters announced. “You know, it’s [been] 20 years of professional racing and on the timeline, 2026 is it – that’s enough for me. I ride motorcycles because it’s the one place that I can let go. It’s been a heck of a ride, you know, and my time’s gone.

“I can’t lay it on the line like I used to, and I’ve got other focusses. I’ve got race teams and riding gear, and lots of business opportunities that I want to put that mindset and effort into. As sad as it is, I can’t race anymore… 
That’s the hard part for me, [because] I’ve done years of it.”

After quickly establishing himself as one of the sport’s best young prospects in Under 19s, Waters turned professional as a teenager in 2009 – winning on debut in MX1 – and went on to finish runner-up in the 2012 and 2013 MX1 standings. He spent 2014-2015 in the MXGP World Championship, claiming ninth in the standings during his second and final season overseas.

Waters’ international career is largely recognised for his sole MXGP podium at Maggiora Park in Italy during 2015, plus he has represented Team Australia on four occasions at the Motocross of Nations (2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016), with a best result of fourth overall in 2013 alongside Brett Metcalfe and Dean Ferris.

Upon returning home, Waters finished third in the 2016 series, and later finally broke through to clinch the MX1 championship in 2019 with Husqvarna. He founded Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team in 2020, alongside ongoing broader business interests in operating Raceline Performance, TDUB apparel, and a junior development program.

Waters again claimed P3 in the 2021 and 2022 series as team owner/rider, and is currently positioned fifth in the 2026 standings entering QMP this weekend. It is unclear what the future holds for Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team following his retirement at the conclusion of the outdoor season.

In addition during his career, Waters claimed second in the national E2 championship while on double-duties between enduro and motocross in 2022. He also made a one-off appearance at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in 2022, finished P2 at the Hattah Desert Race on debut, and fourth in the Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) that same year.