MOUNT MAUNGANUI’S JOSIAH NATZKE - TOP RIDER IN THE FIERCE MX2 (250CC)
FEBRUARY 2, 2020: Bay of Plenty’s Josiah Natzke is just where he wants to be, on top of the points standings after the opening round of the nationals.
The 21-year-old Transdiesel Eni Lubricants Kawasaki Racing Team rider from Mount Maunganui followed on from his post-Christmas win at the big annual Whakatane Summercross by also winning the day in the MX2 (250cc) class at the first of four rounds in this year’s New Zealand Motocross Championships in south Otago at the weekend.
Natzke won the first of Saturday’s three MX2 class races at Balclutha, and then finished third, behind Oparau’s James Scott and Christchurch’s Dylan Walsh, 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, Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis, 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, near Rotorua in two weeks’ time.
“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.
“A massive thanks are due to the whole team on the day for doing everything to make my life easier.
“I struggled the previous weekend (at the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville, where he settled for third overall). But at Balclutha I felt a lot more comfortable.
“I was the fastest rider on the track in both the first two races at Balclutha, but my energy reserves were all spent by race three. Even so, I’ve got the championship lead, so I can’t really complain.
“I love the track at Rotorua. It’s not far from my home, so I know that track well. The bike is perfect and suspension is dialled in, so I’m really happy with my situation at the moment.”
This is Natzke’s first season in New Zealand in about three years after spending time racing in Europe, and it is perhaps some of that European experience that has helped him into the position he’s now in.
Fresh after arriving home from the United Kingdom, Natzke made his debut for the Transdiesel Eni Lubricants Kawasaki team a glorious one in October when he won the MX2 class at the season-starting MX Fest event at Taupo. He then also won the 2019 New Zealand Supercross Championships in the SX2 class, that competition wrapping up in November, followed now by his success at the foot of the South Island at the weekend.
It seems Natzke is well attuned to the green bike and he’s certainly rated among the favourites to win again this summer.
Natzke is supported by Kawasaki NZ, Transdiesel Eni Lubricants, Mainstream, Bridgestone, Rekluse, Alpinestars, 100%, Un4Seen Graphics, Pro Circuit, Moto HQ, Polisport, Koromiko Engineering, RK Chains, CFX Seats, Goodbuzz, Renthal Handlebars and MTX Sprockets.
Credit: Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
Photos by ENI Kawasaki Race Team
Kawasaki's All-New TERYX KRX1000
Kawasaki’s all-new trail adventure Side x Side was built for high-adrenaline fun in the woods and on rock trails. Boasting the toughness, durability and reliability that TERYX models are renowned for, the KRX 1000 possesses the capability and confidence to tackle tough rock crawls, superb cornering and straight-line stability on rock/wood/desert trails, and superior comfort.
The powerful, high-torque 999 cm3 Parallel Twin engine is paired with a CVT transmission and centrifugal clutch, ensuring superb control for navigating tricky technical sections. The chassis, which features a high-rigidity frame with integrated ROPS, positions the wheels as far apart as possible, creating a sturdy platform. This is complemented by suspension with massive shock units and long wheel travel designed to overcome large obstacles and to soak up bumps on the trail. The roomy cabin with tall doors and adjustable high-back bucket seats delivers outstanding ride comfort, allowing driver and passenger to simply enjoy the ride.
The all-new TERYX KRX 1000 represents Kawasaki’s first challenge in the growing Sport Side x Side category, and an exciting new flavour for hard-core trail/adventure enthusiasts.
Let The Good Times Roll
Tyler Steiner joins the ENI Kawasaki Race Team
The ENI Kawasaki Race Team is excited to announce that Tyler Steiner will be on board the KX450 MX1 machine for the 2019/2020 season. Tyler is a very promising rider with some great results both here and abroad. With 2 years experience already in the MX1 class, the 20 year old from Te Puke is set for a great season ahead.
Some highlights include,
Competed Mini O’s in Florida 2014
2014 - Junior 125 nationals 2nd place
2016 - 125 junior and 250 junior nats 3rd place
2017 - MX1 labour weekend 5th place
2017 - China international 2nd place
2018 MX1 labour weekend 5th place
Welcome to the team Tyler, we’re excited to see what the season brings!
8 Oct 2019
NINJA H2 ORDER WINDOW NOW OPEN!
BECOME PART OF MOTORCYCLE HISTORY:
2020 Supercharged Ninja H2 order window is now open!
・Order period : 1st Oct, 2019 ～ 20th Dec, 2019
・Production period : Jan ～ May, 2020
The H2R, H2 Carbon, and H2 are works-of-art and not just anyone can walk into a dealership and get their hands on one. Each model is handbuilt and must be pre-ordered and the window to do so is now!
Street legal H2 models feature a beastly supercharged, 998cc, in-line four engine that produces 231 horsepower, while the H2R boast 300 horsepower and are closed-course only.
With great power, comes great responsibility, which is why all H2 models are outfitted with the latest Brembo Stylma Calipers, Ohlins TTX rear shock, KYB Racing front forks, and Kawasaki’s Cornering Management Function to ensure optimal control and confidence on the street or track.
Don’t wait too long to become part of this exclusive ‘supercharged’ club—orders must be placed before Dec. 20th!
#Kawasaki #Supercharged #H2R #H2 #H2Carbon
7 Oct 2019
TEAM GREEN MERCHANDISE NOW AVAILAB
With the relaunch of Team Green, Kawasaki NZ is proud to announce that Team Green Merchandise is now available.
JOSIAH NATZKE JOINS ENI KAWASAKI RACE TEAM
Transdiesel ENI Kawasaki Race Team is excited to announce that the very talented Josiah Natzke will be a Team Green member for the 2019/2020 season!
The 20 year old from Mount Maunganui already has 3 years of
international experience (Maxxis British MX Championship and ADAC German MX Masters) to his credit. Combining a track record of titles both locally and abroad, Natzke is set for a much anticipated return to NZ racing! Some outstanding achievements include;
2014/15 NZ 125 Champion
2015 EMX125 Runner-Up
2016 EMX250 Switzerland 2nd Place
2017 EMX250 Latvia Winner
2018 250 NZ Supercross Champion
Welcome back Josiah - we look forward to a successful season!
7 Oct 2019
REA FIVE TIMES CHAMPION AFTER RACE TWO WIN
After overcoming a tough early season Jonathan Rea became the World Championship for a record fifth time in the best way possible – with a race win. No other rider has won five titles in this category, never mind five in succession.
The eventual timing of Jonathan’s latest title success was somewhat unexpected, despite his strong podiums showings in the first two Magny Cours races. Rea had a genuine opportunity to take the crown again after his only title rival Alvaro Bautista collided with Razgatlioglu and had to retire. Jonathan’s race two victory was his 12th win of the season.
Rea had aimed to win all the French WorldSBK races before the final contest of the weekend and he finally took his 83rd career victory by 0.862 seconds from Michael van der Mark. Jonathan’s latest title win came with two rounds to spare.
Haslam had a difficult Sunday after his Race One crash on Saturday but fought as hard as he could, against an aggravated shoulder injury and issues under braking, to record ninth and seventh place finishes today.
Rea’s championship points total is now 544, while Haslam is sixth overall after Razgatlioglu’s first two race wins in WorldSBK.
The next round is a flyaway event, and will be held at the El Villicum circuit in Argentina, between the 11th and 13th of October.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I am just super-happy. It has been the biggest challenge to date and we have just chipped away. The beginning of the season was really tough, to be beaten the way we were. But to mentally accept the challenge and keep working as a team – also away from the track – we kept strong. I have worked and kept working. We all go to each weekend looking for the opportunity and we have had lots of opportunities this year, and won a lot of races. It is beyond my wildest dreams to win the title here because after four rounds I would have bitten your hand off if you told me I was going to be champion. With yesterday’s race being quite chaotic I was nervous going into today because I did not understand the points situation. The target all weekend was to try and – realistically – win it in Argentina, so we could go to Qatar with less pressure. But we got another opportunity today and I felt a little bit better with the bike compared to yesterday. With the temperature going up the pace was not so fast I was able to manage the bike, and I could see my opportunity with Michael. He was struggling in some areas where we were strong. And we were weaker in some areas where he was strong. So I was putting that all together, learning that for a few laps and then putting my head down and getting the job done. Massive thanks to Kawasaki, the team, my sponsors, my family, all my friends and everybody in my corner. I am the guy taking the plaudits but it is such a big team effort and I am fortunate to be in this position.”
Leon Haslam, stated: “It was a tough day. I knew it was going to be tough, especially with my main issue this year being stopping. There are five or six places on track where you have to make a maximum stop. I knew Toprak’s strength was there, so for me that was kind of predictable with the way he works the bike. For my part, from yesterday to the third race today I found a lot more consistent and better pace but it just was not enough. I had a battle with Tom Sykes and managed to beat him in the last race but we were missing two or three tenths of a second at least.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) won the sprint race from Jonathan today but crashed out of Race Two after an early rear end slide and then a collision with the following Alvaro Bautista. Toprak’s two race wins in France take him to fifth in the championship, on 260 points, and contributed to the fact that a Kawasaki rider won every major race at Magny Cours.
Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) was 15th and then a fine tenth despite starting each Sunday race from a lowly grid position. Jordi is now 11th overall. Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) will face a home round next time out in Argentina, but on Sunday in France he scored 14th and 11th place finishes. He is ranked 15th overall.
2019 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
2019: Races 31, Wins 12, Podiums 28, Superpoles 6
Career Race Wins: 83 (68 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 162 (120 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 22 (18 for Kawasaki)
Leon Haslam:
2019: Races: 31, Wins 0, Podiums 6, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 5 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 45 (7 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 3 (0 for Kawasaki)
7 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
4 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017 & 2018)
4 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018)
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 141 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 424 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 87 – second overall
#NinjaSpirit
#Rea5stars
Words and photos: Kawasaki EU
Team Green KawiGirls Announced
Team Green KawiGirls has been announced via the Kawasaki NZ Facebook page and Instagram.
Mikayla Rowe, currently 4NZ in senior women's MX has been selected to spearhead the initiative which will focus on girls only ride events for girls on any brand.
With the success of reigning New Zealand Supersport 600 Champion and FIM Women's Motocross World Champion Courtney Duncan the KawiGirl initiative is poised to gain a lot of momentum.
The focus for the initiative is to facilitate a fun, low-pressure and safe environment for girls to enjoy the sport of off-road motorcycling, and with our newly appointed ambassador, there is sure to be an avid following.
Mikayla will run the Facebook and Instagram pages as well as a private girls only Facebook group. Be sure to give them a like and get behind the KawiGirls NZ movement.
Visit www.facebook.com/Kawigirlsnz to keep updated
