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New KTM Racing Team recruit Zac Watson has set an initial target of consistent podium finishes in the 2026 Penrite ProMX Championship, aiming to build upon the type of form that saw him claim fifth in last year’s MX1 standings.

The 21-year-old emerged as one of the revelations of this past season, with a breakout premier class campaign earning him a factory KTM call-up at the conclusion of the series.

A wrist injury at Redcliffe’s Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship double-header in September forced an early exit from the series altogether, with attention turning instead to building towards the outdoors.

“It was around four weeks [after the injury] until I was able to get back on the bike properly,” Watson told MotoOnline. “Pretty much ever since then, up until the start of February, I just did a lot of base moto stuff, trying to get the fitness back, and trying to get back into the swing of things.

“When we started back with Ford [Dale] and the rest of the group, we transitioned into more of a 90-95 percent moto pace. And now we’ve just been smashing out 30s for the last couple of weeks – we’ll start doing some more high-intensity stuff before Wonthaggi.

“Obviously, I’m trying to get comfortable on the KTM as well, which is good. The team’s been amazing – they’ve gone to all ends to help me out and get me sorted. I was already pretty comfy on the KTM to start with, and to be honest, I did feel quite good on it straight away.”

Watson has continued an impressive rise in the MX1 division, climbing to P5 overall last season after finishing eighth in 2024. With steady progress the priority, and after earning a breakout podium at Traralgon, the Queenslander now has his sights set on consistent podium results this year.

“For this year, I definitely want to be a podium guy week in, week out,” he continued. “So that’s the expectation I have for myself. I know with the team that we’re looking to build into it and just kind of be strong and be consistently in that group of podium guys for the whole year. If I can end up in the mix by the end of the season, I’ll be pretty happy with the year.”