Caption: Foremost Media.

Defending champion Josh Waters will enter the 2025 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) season-opener at Phillip Island under an injury cloud after breaking his left collarbone in a crash last month.

The fall occurred at Phillip Island early in the new year, with Waters undergoing surgery by renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Steve Andrews on January 10, having a plate inserted in the break to assist the repair and get the 38-year-old back to speed.

With just six weeks between the crash and the first round, the timing has disrupted his pre-season, forcing the four-time title winner to miss key shakedown events in Victoria and New South Wales.

“There’s no doubt that the start of 2025 hasn’t been the easiest for me and I’ve really only done one day of riding since I won the 2024 title at The Bend,” reflected Waters.

“However, I will still be pushing as hard as I can at Phillip Island on the Ducati – a circuit and bike I am more than familiar with – and there will also be a lot of pressure on the other riders to perform because of my injury woes.”

Waters will once again line up onboard the McMartin Racing-prepared Ducati V4 R for the 2025 season when it takes off between February 21-23 at Phillip Island, chasing his fifth ASBK championship with the outfit he captured his fourth crown with last year.