Otago’s Courtney Duncan is not one to sit back and ride defensively.
But it seems the Palmerston rider is beginning to understand she does not have to lead every lap to win the race.
Duncan has a narrow lead at the top of the Women’s Motocross World Championships going into this weekend’s event in the Netherlands.
The 21-year-old leads four-time world champion Kiara Fontanesi (152 points) by just three points, with defending champion Livia Lancelot (148 points) a further four points back in third place.
Dutch rider Nancy van de Ven (143 points) is within striking range and will be a threat on her home track.Duncan, though, has proven to be the rider to beat when she can stay out of trouble.
She finished first and second in the Czech Republic to retake the championship lead. It was arguably some of the smartest riding she has produced in her two years on the circuit. Duncan has always been quick, but pushing as hard as she does has resulted in the odd tumble. But she produced calculated and patient display in round four and will be looking to remain disciplined in the final two rounds of the campaign.
When she needs it, though, Duncan has the speed and that has been her greatest asset.
In race one, in the Czech Republic, Duncan worked her way through the field to move from eighth place to win.
She passed Fontanesi to take the lead with just two corners remaining. It was the sort of patience her coach, Josh Coppins, had been looking for from his charge.
Belgian Armandine Verstappen made a break at the start of the second race and held off Duncan, who chased hard but had a spell and eventually finished 16sec behind in second.
Women’s World Champs standings
Courtney Duncan 155
Kiara Fontanesi 152
Livia Lancelot 148
Nancy van de Ven 143
