have not been riding a lot lately , not since I hurt my elbow at a club day here about three weeks ago . “ Max is riding well and his speed is good , but the experience I have makes me look out more for the tough bits on the track and not push there too hard . “ I ’ m happy with the bike and my starts were great ... I [ got the ] holeshot every race . I had great support here from my old mechanic Craig Guy and from ( my girlfriend ) Kirri too . “ I don ’ t know what might be my next big race . Anything these days is welcome . The pandemic could be a problem , but if racing happens , it happens and I ’ m feeling in good form and ready to go .”
MX2 Meanwhile , the 2021-22 motocross season could not have kicked off any better for Kawasaki racer Josiah Natzke . The 22-year-old from Mount Maunganui firstly helped his six-rider Team Green squad to
overall victory at Friday ’ s annual Battle Of The Teams motocross in Taupo and then he lined up again two days later to ride as an individual and dominate the talent-laden MX2 ( 250cc ) class at MX Fest . Natzke took his Kawasaki KX250 to win all three of his MX2 class races on Sunday , each time heading off challenges from Tauranga ’ s Brodie Connolly ( Altherm JCR Yamaha ), the rising star and recent Yamaha signing who won the 125cc under-19 title in the nationals last season but who has since jumped up to race the more powerful 250cc competition . Third best in this MX2 class on senior day Sunday was Southland racer Jack Treloar ( McIver And Veitch KTM ), the 18-year-old apprentice builder from Otautau , near Invercargill , rewarded for his long journey with a truly solid podium performance . Natzke ’ s unbeaten run will surely have rung a few alarm bells for his MX2 class rivals ahead of the run of summer events that are scheduled ,
NAZTKE
KIWI RIDER 55