classed ”, riding a KTM250 to finish a solid runner-up in the MX2 ( 250cc ) category as well . “ My fitness is not at the level it would have been if we were racing the Nationals [ which have been cancelled for this season due to the pandemic ], but obviously I ’ ve managed to keep a base fitness and I ’ ve been keeping my riding up ,” said Harwood . He said he was riding well within himself – “ I didn ’ t want to do anything dumb . It ’ s just a rare opportunity to come and race against all the top guys . “ I came here with the No . 1 plate , after winning the New Zealand Motocross Championships in 2021 , and it was an opportunity to show off the new bike . It ’ s good for all my sponsors that I show off all the products that we use . “ My starts have not been great in the MX2 class , so it was tougher for me to win that class ,” said Harwood , a four-time former national MX2 champion and the 2013 under-19 champion in Australia . “ It ’ s tough jumping from a 450cc bike to a 250cc bike and then back again . It ’ s very different to ride the two bikes on the same day ,” explained Harwood , who raced a total of six times at the event , more than most other riders .” The MX2 class on Saturday was won by Mount Maunganui ’ s Josiah Natzke ( Kawasaki ), ahead of Harwood and Tauranga ’ s Brodie Connolly ( Yamaha ). Waitoku ’ s Cole Davies ( Yamaha ) dominated the 125cc class , while KTM pair , Jared Hannon , from Cambridge and Taranaki ’ s Rian King completed the 125cc podium .
NATZKE WINS MX2 CLASS With opportunities to ride typically closed off by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions , any rare chance to race was bound to be gleefully snatched at by many of New Zealand ’ s motocross elite . And one rider who had more to gain from racing at the Waikato Motocross Championships was Mount Maunganui ’ s Josiah Natzke , who showed up to compete along with his fellow Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team mates , including Kiwi icon Cody Cooper , and the leading riders from all the other manufacturer teams too , individuals such as
Mangakino ’ s Maximus Purvis , the reigning national MX2 champion , had to be content with third overall in the MX1 class
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