Duncan sets sights on next year after finishing with double win
DUNEDIN star Courtney Duncan signed off her season with double victory at the Turkish round of the women’s world championship yesterday.
It might not have been the fourth world title that she wanted, but her performance in Afyonkarahisar left her rivals under no illusion that she will be back with a vengeance in 2023.
Arriving at the MXGP of Turkey following a long break in the series’ revised calendar, Duncan quickly demonstrated that she meant business.
She topped the first timed practice and went on to win both WMX races.
Duncan said she wanted to ‘‘finish the season off strong and with a 11 we were able to do that, so from that side, it was good.
“Tough season, though, and we are naturally disappointed to lose the crown but proud to keep fighting all the way to the end.’’
The Kawasaki rider, originally from Palmerston, had returned to New Zealand to train following a round win at the series’ fourth instalment in Spain at the end of May.
She had elected to sit out the third outing in Sardinia after breaking her collarbone in April’s second WMX round in Portugal.
Duncan was “gutted’’ the season was over.
“With having the injury midseason, I feel like I’m only getting started and just want to keep racing and building.
‘‘Next year can’t come quick enough.”
Notching up her third race win for the season yesterday lifted Duncan to seventh in the final WMX standings, on 129 points.
Dutch rider Nancy Van De Ven ended Duncan’s threeyear grip on the title to finally became the WMX world champion.
The first titleholder from the Netherlands, and only the fifth women’s world champion, Van De Ven joined Livia Lancelot, Stephanie Laier, Kiara Fontanesi and Duncan, who have been winners since the series officially became recognised as a world championship 13 years ago.
In yesterday’s race, Duncan secured the holeshot as she led the way in front of Italian rider Elisa Galvagno, Papenmeier and Dutchwoman Shana Van der Vlist.
The Kiwi then left her competitors to fight it out for the rest of the race and comfortably led the way to charge past the chequered flag first.
It gave Duncan the top step of the final round podium with the perfect 11 score card ahead of Papenmeier, who was second, while Denmark’s Sara Andersen was third.
Kawasaki New Zealand managing director Shane Verhoeven said it must have been a “bittersweet’’ weekend for Duncan.
“She stamped her dominance in Turkey with a 11 result but lost out on winning four consecutive championships because of her earlyseason injury.
‘‘Covid hindered Courtney’s preseason preparation, and she only arrived in Europe days before the first round. She can be proud of what she’s achieved this season despite the setbacks.
“We look forward to seeing her head home over summer, where she can reset and refocus on regaining the title in 2023.’’