Over the years we’ve had many riders come to Canada to race from not just in the USA, but from all over the Globe. Riders from Europe, South Africa, Australia, and even a few from Sunday’s 250 class winner Josiah Natzke’s home country of New Zealand. Natzke has a very interesting story and it’s certainly one that hasn’t been without adversity. A few years ago he was one of the top prospects from New Zealand and was even invited to Europe to ride for the Factory KTM Team. But things didn’t work out and Josiah returned home to think about what could’ve been. Thankfully, Josiah decided that he wanted and needed another shot at fulfilling his dream of becoming one of the top riders in the world. After some hard work and getting some key people behind him, Josiah departed New Zealand earlier this year, but this time he was headed to America to train for the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships. Throughout the opening four rounds of the Lucas Oil Series, Josiah had some solid finishes in the 250 class and after his 11-16 moto finish at Hi-Point Raceway two weeks ago he placed a well-timed call to the PRMX Kawasaki Team here in Canada and as they say the rest is history. This past weekend Josiah grabbed his first-ever Triple Crown Series win at Walton Raceway with a solid 1-1-4 moto score. We caught up with the likable Kiwi moments after his big win on Sunday.
MXP: I guess the first thing I should say is welcome to Canada and congratulations on the big win!
JN: Awe, thank you very much. I’m pretty happy to be here and to get the win today was even better. I’ve watched this series a lot over the years and I’ve wanted to come and be a part of it. So to finally be here and get to race is great.
You’ve had some solid results over the past month in the USA, what were your expectations coming into today?
I came into today with an open mind really. I knew I had some good speed and I knew I was in shape, but I totally respected how good these guys are. I thought I could do well and then after practice when my times were good it gave me a little more confidence. Heading into the motos I just wanted to get a good start and see where I was at. In the end, it all worked out.
It definitely did work out. Whenever we hear that a rider is coming to Canada to race we naturally research their results to try and judge what their overall speed might be. When your name came up last week and I looked at the Lucas Oil Series results you’ve had some good ones so far in 2022. A couple of 11th place moto finishes in the 250 class, including one in Mt.Morris a few weeks ago. You’ve most certainly had a solid start to 2022?
Yes, thank you. To be completely honest I’m in the process of trying to resurrect my professional racing career and I feel like coming here to race is a real positive step towards that goal. Back in March, I travelled from New Zealand to America to train and get ready for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships and now I’m in Canada. It’s been a pretty cool last few months and you just never know where life is going to take you. As you said, I had some solid motos in the USA and I would’ve liked to have stayed there a little while longer to see how the summer went but this amazing opportunity came up and I had to take it. One of the things I’ve learned is that you have to take opportunities when they come your way. But I’m very excited to be here and racing in your series.
You mentioned that you’re in the process of trying to rebuild your career, can you take us through what that exactly means?
Well, when I was 15 I signed a five-year contract with Factory KTM in Europe and I went there to compete in the MX1 and MX2 series. Like any contract like that I obviously had a lot of expectations on me and to be honest, I just didn’t perform. Looking back it would be easy to blame this or that but it was all on me. I didn’t take advantage of that opportunity and I got cut and headed back to NZ to figure stuff out. It was hard because I was young at the time and as a teenager, you really don’t know anything. So yeah, after that I went back to NZ and spent some time getting my life together, and here I am. I’m back with a real appreciation of what it takes to be a good pro and I’m willing to give it everything I have.
How old are you right now Josiah?
I’m 23!
Okay, so it has taken you a few years to regroup and get back to where you currently are. I’m sure the Covid-19 restrictions of the past two years delayed your travels to North America, but you’re here now and ready to win. When did you arrive in the USA this year?
I landed in California in March and then just remained there to train for Pala and Hangtown. Yes, the past two years have been tough as NZ has been one of the most locked-down countries on the planet. It still is compared to every other country.
So you come to the USA in March, get some bikes and some support. Then you enter the Lucas Oil Series and get ready to travel across the USA in search of success. You turn some heads with a few solid motos and then here you are in Canada on the top step of the podium in the 250 class. Talk about a great story! How did this deal with the PRMX Kawasaki Team come about?
I just saw that they needed a 250 rider so I reached out to them and here we are. As I said, I’m excited to be here and so far everything has been great. I have a house rented near Montreal for the next month so I’m excited to travel around, ride some new tracks and see some new sights. Us Kiwi’s love to travel and see the world so the fact that I get to do that and race my dirt bike is very cool. It’s been a long road but I’m going to be everything I can to make the most of this deal.
It definitely sounds like you’re ready to get yourself involved in this championship fight. Can you take us through today and your motos went?
The day started off well with a solid qualifying session so I knew my speed was good. That gave me a good gate pick for Moto 1 so I was able to get a great start. I was running second for a while and then Piccolo made a mistake and I was able to take the lead and the win. In Moto2, I got out front early and held on for another win. Then in the final moto, I didn’t get the greatest of starts and by the time I got to 4th the leaders were gone. I tried to catch them but their pace was just too good. At that point, I knew I had the overall if I remained in 4th so I just tried to be smooth. It was good day for sure.
It was good day for you and your team. I think it’s been over ten years since they got an overall win in Canada so congratulations to you and everyone on the PRMX Kawasaki Team. What is the plan for this week and are you a good sand rider also?
We’re heading back to Montreal and I will try and ride some sand tracks there. I’m decent in the sand, I wouldn’t say I’m great but I’ve ridden it a bunch. I am looking forward to Gopher Dunes and getting back to the longer motos. I’m in good shape so I like the long races.
Well Josiah, great job today and thank you for speaking with us. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you.
No problem Chris. It’s good to meet you and it’s great to be in Canada. We’ll see you next weekend.