NZ Insider No.50: Josiah Wins!

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

He did it! New Zealand’s Josiah Natzke finally got the monkey off his back, dominating both of his motos claiming two strong victories in the EMX125 European Championship, and his maiden Overall round victory at the MXGP of France held at the Villars-sous-Ecot circuit over the weekend. In doing so, he also made up valuable points in the Overall series standings, and while he remains third, narrowed the gap to red plate holder and KTM Factory Junior teammate, Jorge Prado Garcia, to 15 points with three rounds remaining. His next round is less than a fortnight away at Maggiora in Italy.

His weekend began with the fastest time in his Group A Practice/Qualifying session on the rocky hard-packed circuit near the Swiss border, which was a vast improvement considering qualifying has been a weakness at each round so far. His race pace is evident, but has struggled with the European qualifying style up until now. This gave him a much better gate pick for the weekend’s motos. In both races, he dominated both of his championship rivals, France’s Maxime Renaux and teammate Prado, with the title fight sure to intensify over the remaining rounds. Was definitely a proud moment for many seeing the Kiwi flag atop the podium as well as the anthem ringing out again!

Ben Townley made his long awaited return to racing with Penrite Honda over the weekend with another cameo appearance at the fifth round of the Australian MX Nationals at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

BT came out with a solid victory in the opening moto on Sunday, and then stalled and fell during moto two while running second on course for the Overall round win, with fitness eventually taking its toll, ending the moto in fifth, for third Overall. Considering BT has not been in full training mode recently with a busy schedule including HRC duties in Japan, and mentoring Josiah Natzke in Europe, he was satisfied with his performance.

BT also gave an indication that he may compete at some further rounds in the series when it resumes in July after the mid-season break which has just begun.

Also in MX1, Townley’s Penrite Honda teammate, Cody Cooper, was 11- 9 for ninth Overall. Coops has struggled to replicate the form that took him to a third consecutive NZ MX1 title across the ditch, and will be looking to improve during the second half of the season. Monster NPS Kawasaki’s John Phillips was 13-12 for 13^th Overall.

And in MX2, CMR Red Bull KTM’s Hamish Harwood went 11-13 for 11^th Overall. Harwood has also struggled to continue his form from the NZ MX Nationals a few months back, and his second in MX2 in last year’s Australian MX Nationals.