Oparau’s James Scott (KTM) and Christchurch’s
Dylan Walsh (Yamaha), in the next race, keeping
Natzke top of the table and with a four-point
advantage over nearest rival Scott with just one race
remaining for the afternoon.
The third and final race of the day was a
barnstormer, with virtually nothing to separate
the leading five riders – Australian visitor Caleb Ward
(KTM), Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis (Yamaha),
Walsh, Scott, and Natzke – as they fought handlebar-
to-handlebar around the twisting Balclutha circuit.
Natzke eventually found a way past Scott and
settled for fourth in that race, enough to seal the
Kawasaki man a six-point lead over Scott as the
riders now head to round two in the series.
“Man, what a day it was at round one. I’m so stoked
to come away with the overall win. I felt like I let
myself down with what I wanted to achieve in the
last two races, but anyway it was a solid day of
racing,” said Natzke.
After the series opener, the competition now
heads to Rotorua for round two on February 23.
Round three is set for Hawke’s Bay on March 1, with
the fourth and final round in Taupo on March 15.
KIWI RIDER 31