‘I just want to get after it’ says Duncan of world championship

Courtney Duncan. PHOTO: ODT FILES
Courtney Duncan. PHOTO: ODT FILES
Courtney Duncan has recovered from her crash and is focused on ‘‘the big one’’.

The Dunedin rider is on the cusp of winning a third consecutive Women’s Motocross Championship title.

She has a 16-point lead at the top of the series standings. But with a maximum of 50 points up for grabs in the final two races of the season in Italy this weekend, that buffer is healthy rather unassailable.

Six-time champion Kiara Fontanesi has returned to form this season and has been pushing Duncan hard.

The pair bumped handlebars during the opening race last weekend and Fontanesi went down.

But Duncan had her own drama later in the race when she hit a rut and crashed while in the act of pulling free her goggles’ tear-off.

The gutsy 25-year-old fractured her finger but got back up and finished in second.

She needed pain-killing injections to make the start for the second race and shook off the injury to win.

‘‘The body is much better. That was a priority this week,’’ she told the Otago Daily Times.

‘‘That crash left me pretty banged up, so I’ve had a lot work this week and I'm feeling ready to go.

‘‘Last weekend the form was good but that was soon forgotten about. It’s all about this weekend.

‘‘This is the big one. The mindset remains the same. You focus on what you can control.

‘‘But at the same time I'm aware of what needs to be done. It’s exciting. I just want to get after it.’’

What needs to be done is Duncan needs to ride to stay out of trouble and protect her series lead. Earlier in her career she struggled to ease back on the throttle but showed last season she can ride with more discipline.

The track should suit her as well.

‘‘Arco is usually a track that’s on the calendar every year, so it’s familiar for everyone.

‘‘It’s up in the alps in Italy, so a pretty special location.

‘‘The track’s not bad. I wouldn't say it’s my favourite but I seem to go well there.’’

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