Two Aussies in Europe

Hunter Lawrence and Todd Waters are finding it a bit tough at the moment as the two Australian riders try and figure out how they can get back on the podium, as they had done in the past. Both are working hard and coming back from injuries, or sickness, and both now that nothing comes easy in the toughest motocross series in the world.

Last weekend in the Czech Republic, Lawrence and Waters found the going tough, although at least for Honda mounted Lawrence, it was a solid performance under tough conditions. The MX2 performer is looking likely to crack better results very soon.

“It was a good comeback weekend overall really,” Lawrence said. “In the first race I got a decent start around 10th which made the race a lot easier. I passed as many people as I could early on and then found myself behind Jonass for pretty much the remainder of the race. I battled with him for most of it but in the end had to settle for fifth place as it was just too difficult to make a pass stick on this track. In the second race, another rider completely cut across the track on the start straight, turning the opposite direction to the corner which put me right against the berm and ruined my good jump. I think was outside the top 20 and had to come back through the pack, which I did manage to do, all the way to sixth. I’m happy with that though as it is something to build on and even though there was a bit of fatigue towards the end of the races I think that is pretty normal for my first race back. I’m definitely looking forward to improving for the next couple of races.”

As for Waters, he might not be making podiums, but he is finding it easier to deal with the tough pace of the MXGP class. The HRC backed rider doesn’t have a deal for 2019 and knows if he wants to remain in the world championship, he needs to at least find the top ten on a consistent basis.

"I got a good start to race one," Waters said. "And it was nice to battle with Tommy Searle and other opponents around the top-ten, but then I hit a wall in terms of fitness and that carried into the second race as well. The bike was perfect, nothing wrong with it, it was all me. Unfortunately, we’re not where we want to be so we need to train even harder in order to get closer to the type of form we need to be racing at this level. Lommel is one of the toughest tracks on the calendar, so we’ll be riding as much as we can before the weekend and be as ready as possible."

Both will now head to Lommel, where they should be able to put down some solid scores. While Australian riders have a long history with the Grand Prix series, these two young men are really hoping that a top three place, or even a top five place can come sooner, rather than later.

Author:

Geoff Meyer