Kiwi Breakthrough for German Visitor

Kiwi Breakthrough for German Visitor

DECEMBER 17, 2013: It was a breakthrough moment for Germany’s Thomas Kreutz in New Zealand at the weekend.

The motorcycle ace from Frankfurt, here for a second consecutive season to compete in the popular International Tri Series, celebrated his first Kiwi victory on Sunday when he won the second of two Formula two (600cc) races at a sun-baked Manfeild circuit, on the outskirts of Feilding.

Kreutz (Fastbike Magazine Yamaha R6) had been forced to settle for 6-5 results at the series opener at Hampton Downs, near Meremere, a week earlier, but he was accepting nothing less than a win on the scorching tarmac at Manfeild’s second round on Sunday.

The 35-year-old was not the outright winner on the day – that honour belonged to fellow Yamaha rider Toby Summers, of Manukau – but Kreutz was thrilled nonetheless to impress and show his true ability.

Summers (R&R Power Sports Yamaha R6) won the day in the F2 class with 1-2 results, while Kreutz finished the day equal runner-up, his 6-1 results worth the same as the 2-4 results achieved by Auckland youngster Daniel Mettam.

New Zealand 600cc Supersport champion John Ross, of Christchurch, finished the day fourth overall.

The race-two win was doubly significant for Kreutz because, not only did it give him a timely confidence boost, but it also elevated him from sixth to fourth in the series standings.

The third and final round of the series is set for the public streets of Wanganui, the famous Cemetery Circuit, on Boxing Day.

“We had been swapping a lot of things on the suspension, but, obviously, we have found the right settings. I tried very hard at Hampton Downs but we had problems in the wet getting the correct set-up. I’ve recently changed tyres brands, so we were still learning things, plus it was wet for one race and then dry for the next.

“I actually had a terrible start in today’s second race. I was about ninth spot on the grid and had to fight through a bit of traffic.”

Kreutz, and his fellow German travelling/racing companion Steve Mizera, from Dresden, have been enjoying their stint in New Zealand – Kreutz’ second time here and Mizera’s first.

“It’s something like minus five degrees and snowing in Germany at the moment. We’re avoiding the winter and enjoying the summer conditions here very much.”

Both Kreutz and Mizera will remain in New Zealand to tackle the four-round national superbike championships, which kick off in Christchurch on January 5.

Mizera races in the Formula One (Superbike) class. He finished 9-10 in the F1 class at Hampton Downs and placed 10-9 at Manfeild on Sunday. He is eighth overall in the F1 standings after two of three rounds.

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