MXP Chatter With Josiah Natzke Presented By KTM Canada

When Josiah Natzke first arrived in Canada last summer, little was known about the talent rider from New Zealand. All we knew at the time was that he had some solid results in the Pro Motocross Championships in the USA and that, at one point, he had raced in Europe. Well, here we are 18 months later, and not only has Josiah quickly become one of the fastest riders in the Triple Crown Series, but he is also the newest member of the KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team. We caught up with Josiah as he is now back home in NZ training and enjoying the beginning of another beautiful Kiwi summer. 

MXP: Hey Josiah! How are things in the land of the long white cloud?

JN: I love it here; life is pretty good. I’ve done a lot of travelling, and maybe I’m biased, but I think it’s the best place in the world. Things are starting to heat up and the cloud is going away for the summer. I live by the beach, and it’s starting to feel like summer here, which is nice; I love the heat!

You’ve been back in NZ for a few months now. Have you been able to do much riding and racing?

I’ve been home for about three months, and since then, I have ridden three times. I did a couple of local races here for fun; I love racing way more than practicing. I needed some time off the bike and just wanted to step back while some things got sorted out for my future. 

Between racing the Monster Energy Supercross Series and the Triple Crown Series, you did a lot of racing in 2023. Once you got back home, did you take a nice break?

Oh yes! Honestly, I was super burnt out by the end of the Triple Crown Series. I was able to keep showing up and giving 100%, but I was just tired and kind of sick of riding. Supercross was tough mentally for me, so I really need to get over that. I’ve just been spending a lot of time with my family, which has been nice. I actually did a half marathon a couple of weeks back. I stopped riding, but I’ve kept training off the bike because I enjoy it. 

Going back to the racing scene in NZ. I know there used to be a small SX Series back in the day, and of course, there was a big SX in Auckland a few years ago. I actually almost raced the 1991 Christchurch SX, but my visitor visa was expiring, and I had to get home. What events do you have to choose from when you’re home for the summer?

Supercross in New Zealand is nonexistent now. We had a little bit a couple of years ago, but it’s faded away, which is pretty sad. Unfortunately, there’s no more Christchurch SX, either. There are a few events while I’m here, one just after Christmas called Summercross, which is my favourite here in NZ. I’ll be home for the first round of our Nationals, so I’ll probably do that, too. We have club days and smaller national events most weekends throughout the summer, so I’ll keep busy. It gets quite dry here in the summer, so I’ll get the good dirt going to races because the race days are prepped. 

New Zealand is famous for a few things, and one of them is meat pies. I know it’s hard to describe what they’re like, but please tell me that you sometimes indulge and have one once in awhile.

Meat Pies were one of the things I was most excited about coming home. They are hard to describe, but I would say they’re a super thick pastry filled with mince, steak, or butter chicken. There are so many flavours, but they’re so good. 

It’s too bad you couldn’t bring me some when you head back this way (laughs). Okay, before discussing your new deal with the KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team, let’s talk about this past season. You were incredibly consistent this summer in the Triple Crown Series. Your worst finish was 4th overall, and your best was a big win at the final round at Walton Raceway. I know the goal is always to win a championship, but were you happy with how the summer went?

I was happy with how things went during the last half of the season. I lost most of the points in the first three rounds, and even though I had some great finishes in the final rounds, I couldn’t make up the points. I really wanted the championship, but I lost too many points at the start of the season. Everything happens for a reason, though, and what I went through prepares me for something bigger down the road. 

You also seem to be good in track conditions, whether sand, clay, or the deep ruts at Walton Raceway. Do you have a favourite track on the Triple Crown Series circuit?

Deschambault is my favourite for sure. It has a sandy on top but is still has a hard base, and the speed is so much fun. It’s the series’s biggest crowd, making it more exciting for me as a rider. It’s a cool feeling racing in front of a crowd. 

So, you had another solid season in Canada with the PRMX Team. Why change teams, and how did the deal with the KTM Team get done? 

Yes, I had a good season with PRMX, and I really enjoyed working with the guys there. But, seeing the program KTM had from the outside, it looks super good; even on a global scale, they’re the best team. I spoke with team manager Mathieu a couple of times, and we both showed some interest. He was interested in what I had to offer, and I was super interested in what they did. I also love the corporate side of things. I’m a very structured guy, and I like to know exactly what’s happening and when which is how KTM operates. 

You mentioned in the Social Media post that you have a history with the KTM brand. Can you talk a little about that?

So yes, basically, when I was 15, I signed a contract to race for Factory KTM in Europe for a few years. I raced for them in the EMX125 class in 2015 and the following year in the EMX250 class. I was teammates with Jorge Prado and guys like that. I lost the contract after those years because I didn’t get the results, but that’s how it goes. I lost my way for a bit with my career and went down a different path that I’m now trying to rewrite. However, with that experience, I learned how factory teams operate, so I have a pretty high standard of what to expect now. Those kind of rides are earned and are hard to come by. 

Your deal for 2024 has you racing in the 450 class. Was that something you requested, or did KTM just want you on 450?

I think I’m more of a 450 rider, and the bike suits my style a lot; I’ve ridden one before, so I’m not moving up with some 450 experience. They had a spot available on the 450, so I’m excited to be part of the team. 

Well, congratulations Josiah. What is the plan for returning to North America and training with your new teammates?

Thanks. I plan to be in NZ and ride a bit until the end of February and then head over to North America for my main prep for the Triple Crown Series. 

Once the season begins, will you be living in Quebec? 

Yes, I’ll be living in Quebec, with KTM HQ and my mechanic being there; it’s where I want to be. Also, both of my teammates live close by, so hopefully, we can all ride together.  

Thank you for doing this, and Happy Holidays to you and your family. Enjoy the NZ summer, and we’ll talk again soon.

I appreciate all the support! See you in Canada.