Image: Russell Colvin.

Dual Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters has made his first official appearance in the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli as the official pre-race Winton test opens.

Waters, who had been contesting the British Superbike Championship since he last won the ASBK crown in 2012, didn’t secure a seat for this season – his lone racing appearance coming in Japan surrounding the Suzuka 8 Hours.

The first sign of the 29-year-old Waters’ return to the ASBK aboard a YZF-R1 came at the recent Yamaha test at Winton, however it’s since been indicated that he will line up at the final round of the championship on 30 September-2 October.

It’s been a wet beginning to the two-day ASBK test at Winton, which is also attended by Crankt Protein Honda Racing, DesmoSport Ducati, Next Gen Motorsports Suzuki, Cube Racing and a selection of privateer racers across Superbike, Supersport, Production, R3 Cup and Moto3/125GP.