It’s an incredible 18 years since these photos of then future Kiwi motocross greats Josiah Natzke and Maximus Purvis were taken at the New Zealand Mini Motocross Championships in 2008.
Okay, so Huntly’s Natzke and Mangakino’s Purvis did not face up to one another that busy weekend at Mangatainoka – the track right beside the iconic brewery, midway between Woodville and Pahiatua – back in 2008 because they were in slightly different age categories at that event.
But now age is no barrier to them going head-to-head and, what’s even more significant is that this weekend they’ll be battling one another for the greatest prize in New Zealand senior motocross, the 2026 Honda New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville.
It’s interesting to note that, after two of four rounds in the 2025-26 New Zealand Motocross Championships, there are 20 points to separate these two riders at the top of the MX1 class standings and, with the last half of the national series coming up in Tauranga and Rotorua next month, anything is still possible.
Josiah Natzke (Honda), one of the favourites to win at Woodville this weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Both Purvis and Natzke are former New Zealand motocross champions, as mini racers, juniors and seniors too.
In addition to Woodville GP debutante Kyle Webster – the current MX1 champion from across the Tasman Sea – the men most expected to challenge Purvis and Natzke could likely include another Australian visitor in Ryley Fitzpatrick, Japan’s Kai Oshiro, Invercargill’s Jack Symon and Balclutha’s Jack Treloar.
All these questions will be answered when the gates drop for senior racing on Sunday afternoon.
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
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Maximus Purvis (Yamaha), the reigning Woodville MX GP champion. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com