Image: Foremost Media.

Three-time Australian Superbike (ASBK) champion Josh Waters has been called in by Boost Mobile Racing with K-Tech Ducati for the MotoGP support races at Phillip Island after reigning national champion Wayne Maxwell opted to sit out the event.

Waters contested the opening four rounds of this year’s ASBK with the Maxima BMW team before making a late withdrawal ahead of the fifth stop of the series at Morgan Park.

Tensions were evident between Waters and the Next Gen Motorsports-operated outfit at Hidden Valley, with the number 21’s next move initially uncertain following his absence from round five. The latest revelation provides Waters an opportunity to return to competition, but at this stage, the Mildura local is only confirmed to compete at the support races in October.

“The sponsors would like the team to compete at the MotoGP supports and I received a call from the Boost Mobile Ducati team as they needed someone to ride at the grand prix,” Waters told CycleOnline. “I said that I would have a go on the bike and then see.

“I didn’t mind it and went alright, the team was really good and with it not being a championship round, it doesn’t really affect anyone or anything. It’s good to have a ride again and I still have the drive and everything to go good – I believe I still can be competitive.

“I enjoyed Friday and riding the Ducati [at Phillip Island], of course, you know the Ducati and the history of the bike and how successful Wayne has been on it. I’m going in there with a fair bit of pressure, but hopefully enjoy myself.”

Waters completed a shakedown test at Phillip Island last week, which is understood to be the only time he will ride the V4 R before the support races on 14-16 October.

Notably, no ASBK points are on offer for the MotoGP support races at Phillip Island as it is not part of the championship, which is a reason for Maxwell’s competitive absence from the event. It is understood Maxwell also has other commitments across the weekend surrounding his involvement in the support of Australian junior road racing.

“I never wanted to do the GP support – it’s not really an event that’s on my radar,” commented Maxwell. “There’s not much to gain and it’s really a detraction for me, as it gives the other guys an opportunity to have a look at how I am going around there on one of my better circuits.”

Maxwell held a clear advantage in terms of pace when the ASBK series visited the venue for its 2022 opener and currently trails championship leader Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) by 29 points following pole position and two race wins last time out at Morgan Park.