Cemetery Circuit awaits fired up Kreutz

Frankfurt's Thomas Kreutz, seen here leading Rhys Holmes of Katikati, showed incredible pace at Manfeild on Sunday and will be at Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day. ANDY MCGECHAN, BIKESPORTNZ.COM

While much of the excitment for Wanganui's Cemetery Circuit race on Boxing Day revolves around British TT star Guy Martin, look for another international name to make waves.

Motorcycle ace Thomas Kreutz had a breakthrough moment at the second round of the Suzuki Series in Manfeild last week, with the Frankfurt rider celebrating his first Kiwi victory when he won the second of the two Formula two (600cc) races on the outskirts of Feilding.

Kreutz (Fastbike Magazine Yamaha R6) had been forced to settle for sixth and fifth at the series opener at Hampton Downs a week earlier, but he was accepting nothing less than a win on the scorching tarmac at Manfeild

While the 35-year-old was not the outright winner on the day, with fellow Yamaha rider Toby Summers of Manukau taking another step towards securing the title, Kreutz was thrilled nonetheless to impress and show his true ability, finishing equal runnerup with a sixth and a victory against Auckland youngster Daniel Mettam (second, fourth).

The German has now moved from sixth to fourth in the overall standings, with a 25-point advantage over Wanganui's Jayden Carrick.

"We had been swapping a lot of things on the suspension but, obviously, we have found the right settings," Kreutz said. "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 [Sunday's] second race. I was about ninth spot on the grid and had to fight through a bit of traffic."

Kreutz said he and his fellow German travelling and racing companion, Dresden's Steve Mizera, have been enjoying their stint here - his second trip to these shores while it is 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 men will remain in New Zealand to tackle the four-round national superbike championships, which kick off in Christchurch on January 5.

Mizera finished ninth and 10th at Hampton Downs then 10th, ninth at Manfeild to be eighth in the standings.