Duncan back in action on home soil this weekend

Courtney Duncan. Photo: ODT files
Courtney Duncan
Double Women’s World Motocross champion Courtney Duncan has confirmed she will be riding in the inaugural KawiGirls Kings and Queens Motocross event at the Rotorua Motorcycle Club track on Saturday.

Duncan had been waiting for her custom Kawasaki parts to arrive from Europe before announcing that she would enter.

The parts will not turn up in time but in typical Duncan fashion, she has shrugged off the setback and will ride her Kawasaki in standard spec.

She had some time on the latest model KX250 overseas, when she defended her world title in November.

“It worked really well. I’m pretty excited to get a bike set up for me in the next couple of days and race it on Saturday," she said.

“I believe that the last time I raced in the North Island was about four years ago, which adds to the excitement of competing on home soil for me."

"I’ve ridden at the Rotorua track twice in the past and it was great.

"There should be some good times racing on Saturday and I’m looking forward to being back beside the New Zealand girls."

The 24-year-old Dunedin-based rider remembers meeting one of her motocross idols at an event when she was a young girl and what a positive impression it made on her.

“So, to be in that position and to be able to give back these days is special to me. It will be cool to interact with the girls and fans face to face, instead of them watching on TV and not seeing me in person.

"From my side, it is just as exciting being able to hang out with them,” Duncan says.

Event organiser Nick Lang says having Duncan headline the 22 entries in the elite women’s class is something special. She will be joined on the start line by KawiGirls ambassador Mikayla Rowe and current New Zealand women’s motocross champion Amie Roberts.

Grand National Cross Country WXC Championship runner-up Rachael Archer was entered to ride, but a foot injury suffered several months ago has not healed enough for her to compete.

However, she will still attend the event.

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