the Nationals there , was especially keen to complete some “ training ” and test himself against fellow New Zealand championship-level riders , before he boarded his flight on March 15 . And it could not have gone any better for the Kawasaki star . Natzke recorded three wins from three starts in the MX2 ( 250cc ) class at Te Kuiti , finishing ahead of KTM ’ s multi-time former national MX2 champion Hamish Harwood , from West Auckland , and Tauranga ’ s Brodie Connolly ( Yamaha ). Auckland-based former Taihape man Hayden Smith ( CML Racing Team GasGas ), Invercargill rider Jack Symon ( Brent Scammell Honda ) and Te Puke ’ s Flynn Watts ( Whites Powersports Kawasaki ) made up the rest of the top half dozen . Unluckiest man of all was Honda star James Scott , from Oparau . The national MX2 No . 2 finished 5th and then 4th early in the event , but was credited with nothing in the third and final race of the day – despite finishing 5th again – because his electronic transponder had a
meltdown . But the day did go perfectly for Natzke . “ I ’ m really gelling with the bike . We ’ ve used the same settings from the year before and it feels great ,” said Natzke afterwards . “ It has been hard for everyone to get motivated ( because of the pandemic ). I knew everyone would be here and , while not everyone is on their A game , but it ’ s been able to race with all the top guys again . “ I leave for America next month and I ’ ll be there for three or four months . I ’ ll race the first couple of rounds of the US outdoor nationals in the 250cc class , riding for Kawasaki . “ I just need to see where things take me . I have a place to stay , I have a bike and a vehicle and I ’ m heading across early , well before the series starts , just to get used to everything . “ There are a lot of unknowns , although I did race there once before , when I was aged about 10 . Kawasaki New Zealand has been fantastic in supporting me and I ’ m looking forward to performing .”
Kaukapakapa ’ s Josh Jack ( Kawasaki No . 57 ) made an impressive comeback after several years away from the sport , finishing 5th overall in the MX1 class at Waikato , behind Tauranga ’ s Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider Micah McGoldrick ( No . 146 )
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