DUNCAN BACK ON TOP OF THE WORLD STANDINGS
by Andy McGechan
The “ Kiwi Girl ” is back on top of the world . Otago ’ s Courtney Duncan is back where she belongs ... on top of the women ’ s motocross world ( WMX ) championship standings after another sensational display of riding skill , courage and common sense , this time at Loket , in the Czech Republic , on the fourth weekend of July . The Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team rider from Palmerston , near Dunedin , arrived at Loket ’ s fourth round of six in this season ’ s FIM Women ’ s Motocross World Championships in third position overall , but just seven points behind the series leader , Italy ’ s former world champion Kiara Fontanesi ( Yamaha ). Duncan battled valiantly in her first of two WMX races at the tricky Loket track , fighting through traffic from eighth position at the start to eventually take the lead just two corners before the finish and win the race by barely a bike length from rival Fontanesi . Following the top two was Dutch rider Nancy Van De Ven ( Yamaha ), ahead of French defending world champion Livia Lancelot ( Kawasaki ). Germany ’ s Larissa Papenmeier ( Suzuki ) rounded out the top five . “ I got a terrible start actually and got pushed wide on the first corner and had to come from really far back ,” said Duncan afterwards . “ In my sighting lap I knew that it was really slippery , so I knew I just had to be patient on the first opening laps so I didn ’ t risk any passes on the other riders . I found my way to fourth and then just took it from there ,” she said . In the second race on Sunday , Duncan was close behind the race leader from Belgium , Amandine Verstappen ( KTM ), for the first half of the race before losing traction in a corner and going down . While she didn ’ t lose her position , Duncan dropped a long way back . While Duncan eventually had to settle for runner-up spot , she did snatch a vital points advantage over her two main rivals for the crown , Fontanesi and Lancelot , overtaking them both and securing the No . 1 position on the points table .
Otago ’ s Courtney Duncan ( Altherm JCR Yamaha ), back on top of the world standings
From third place and seven points off the lead at the start of the weekend , Duncan is now on top and three points clear of Fontanesi , with Lancelot now third , four points further back . Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team boss Josh Coppins , of Motueka , was naturally thrilled with the weekend ’ s performance . “ She rode smart and was patient and was rewarded for that ,” said former GP star Coppins . “ Loket is a tough track , especially when it ’ s wet , it becomes one lined and can be frustrating to make passes , but Courtney kept her cool and did well . It was nice to watch . “ She liked the track in training , but it was wet due to watering and then rained in her races which made it tricky and she didn ’ t enjoy as it was hard to judge . “ We still have work to do for sure but I ’ d like to think Courtney has turned a page and has now learned that being patient and doing a smart race is more important for her world championship than outright speed currently . Previously she tried to win every lap , every corner and made too many mistakes .” Duncan and Coppins now look ahead to the fifth and penultimate round of the championships , the Dutch GP at Assen in The Netherlands , on September 10 . It all wraps up with round six , the French GP at Villars sous Ecot on September 17 .
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