NZ Insider No.44: Natzke’s Debut

Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the NZ Insider, penned by Chris Ritchie.

Motorcycle shop owner and long-time industry stalwart, Mike Mcleod (also known as Big Mac) has been appointed as New Zealand’s Team Manager for this year’s Motocross of Nations to be held in Ernee, France, in late September. Mcleod’s vast experience, having held the Team Manager role in the past, as well as extensive contacts in the wider FIM official environment inevitably helped secure him the role for the 2015 event.

With the Team Manager role finalised, further preparations are now underway, together with Motorcycling New Zealand’s Motocross Commissioner, Howard Lilly, also playing a part, as we count down with only five months until the auspicious event. As was the case last year, potential team candidates will soon be asked to lodge their applications to be selected for this year’s team. We will keep you posted with any further developments as they come to hand.

Josiah Natzke began his 2015 European EMX125 Championship campaign at the picturesque Pietramiana circuit in Italy over the weekend. With the class split into two qualifying groups, Natzke began the event with 16^th in his group, which translated to 32^nd gate pick for the weekend’s races.

The current NZ National 125cc champion got a decent start in his opening moto, and was able to navigate his way to seventh in moto one on the Saturday programme, satisfied to get the first series moto under his belt. He then followed it up with a strong third in moto two on Sunday morning, continually pressuring his European rivals in the top two positions throughout the race. This put him fifth Overall for the round, only two points behind third.

His outright pace was evident, and proved that he will be a genuine contender for this year’s championship. The series now rolls on to Valkenswaard, in Holland, near the Belgian border for the next round this coming weekend.

Finally, it was an off-weekend for the Kiwi contingent in this year’s Aussie MX Nationals series, with the series resuming at the popular Broadford circuit in Victoria for the third next weekend.

Unfortunately for Raceline Suzuki’s Rhys Carter, a crash in the final moto at Appin resulted in a ruptured MCL and ACL which will require surgery, therefore ruling him out for the rest of the season. We are devastated for Rhys, just as he was hitting his straps and showing his true potential having run up front only last week at the latest MX Nationals round in Appin, clearly demonstrating his worth in this year’s hotly contested MX2 class. We wish Rhys all the best for his upcoming knee surgery and recovery.