Premier class rookie Josiah Natzke broke through for his first-career 450 Pro victory ahead of KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team teammate Jess Pettis at Prairie Hill MX’s third round of the 2024 Canadian Triple Crown Series, on a weekend where Eve Brodeur became an 11-time national champion after clinching the WMX West title.
After Pettis won the opening two rounds, Manitoba marked Natzke’s moment to stand on top of the podium aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION after going 1-1 for the overall. He earned his first podium last time out at Lethbridge and went one better on Sunday for a perfect weekend in a breakout performance, now second in the title race and 13 points behind Pettis.
Josiah Natzke, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 450 Rider: “It was an awesome day at the track today with my first 450 Pro win. It felt good to get the monkey off my back, it was a super-fun track, and felt the flow all day.”
Round 3 was a consistent one for Pettis, managing to maintain his 450 Pro points lead after going 2-3 for second position overall. It was another convincing day out for Pettis, who is motivated to improve upon his runner-up result in the series achieved last season, and he will carry the red plate into the upcoming east coast rounds beginning next month.
Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 450 Rider: “It was a consistent day at Round 3 in Manitoba. I had a close finish with my teammate in Moto 1 and finished second, and then in Moto 2 I had a horrible start and worked my way through the pack to salvage a third. With 2-3 results on the day, I’m happy to be heading east with the red plate.”
A 3-4 scorecard placed 250 Pro Class leader Kaven Benoit just outside of the podium in fourth overall. Although it was a challenging day of sorts for the two-time champion equipped with his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION – falling in both motos – he and the KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team continue to hold the red plate in the series by an eight-point margin.
Kaven Benoit, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 250 Rider: “A bit of an off day for me after I went down in both motos and struggled with the track all day. I did the best I could, so will take the break to regroup, and come back swinging in the sand. I’m still really happy to leave west coast leading the championship!”
Already a 10-time champion in WMX, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team is celebrating Brodeur’s 11th-career title after she sealed the 2024 WMX West Championship at the Pilot Mound round. Brodeur finished second in Moto 1 and then rebounded to win the second race on the weekend, which clinched her the series victory onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.
Eve Brodeur, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 250 WMX Rider: “The day started rough for the WMX riders as we were racing at the end of the day and I made it harder on myself by falling off the start of Moto 1, but I regrouped and got second. In Moto 2, I got the holeshot, settled into a nice pace, and got the win, clinching my now 11th WMX national championship!”
Next Race: July 7 – Courtland, Ontario
Results 450 Pro Class – Prairie Hill MX National
1. Josiah Natzke (NZL), KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team
2. Jess Pettis (CAN), KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team
3. Aaron Tanti (AUS), Kawasaki
Standings 450 Pro Class 2024 after 3 of 8 rounds
1. Jess Pettis, 136 points
2. Josiah Natzke, 123
3. Preston Kilroy, 106
Results 250 Pro Class – Prairie Hill MX National
1. Drew Adams (USA), Kawasaki
2. Gage Linville (USA), Kawasaki
3. Sebastien Racine (CAN), Yamaha
4. Kaven Benoit (CAN), KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team
Standings 250 Pro Class 2024 after 3 of 8 rounds
1. Kaven Benoit, 128 points
2. Gage Linville, 120
3. Drew Adams, 118
Results WMX West Class – Prairie Hill MX National
1. Eve Brodeur (CAN), KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team
2. Viviana Contreras (CAN), KTM
3. Kaylie Kayer (CAN), Husqvarna
Standings WMX West Class 2024 after 4 of 4 rounds
1. Eve Brodeur, 119 points
2. Viviana Contreras, 112
3. Kaylie Kayer, 98
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