The FIM Women’s Motocross World Championships (WMX) kicked off round three in Spain overnight, with New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan the stand-out rider.
South Islander Duncan took her Big Van World MTX Kawasaki to an overwhelming victory in the first moto of the Spanish round of the WMX at Arroyomolinos.
The Otago woman, victorious at this venue on each of her two previous visits, already gave notice of her intentions during practice as she lapped three-quarters of a second faster than any of her rivals and in Saturday afternoon’s first 20-minute-plus-two-lap moto she quickly advanced from a cautious third-placed start to take over the lead before the end of the opening lap.
Moving clear of her chasers at the rate of two-seconds per lap she led comfortably by a quarter-of-a-minute by half-distance and eventually cruised home twenty-eight seconds ahead of the runner-up.
The 25 points for moto-victory also moved her to the head of the championship standings by five points going into the second moto (tonight NZ time).
“Getting pole was a good start to the day because that’s not my string point,” said Duncan.
“I made my way quickly into the lead on the first lap of the race and just rode smart, stayed consistent and pulled a little each lap. I’ve always had good results here so let’s hope that continues tomorrow.
“I’ve been working hard with the team the last few weeks, got some good seat-time and I’m really happy with the bike. Everything’s trucking along well.”
Kawasaki has always supported fast girls and, thanks to Kiwi riders Duncan and Katherine Prumm and French rider Livia Lancelot, the green brand has claimed six gold medals since the first edition of the women’s world series in 2005.
Could it be yet another one this year with Duncan once again?
© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
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