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Courtney Duncan wins MX2 Overall NZ International Grand Prix 2016

Courtney Duncan shot pic 2

It is rare to see a female athlete compete against her male peers and win, even more so if the win is at NZ’s International Motocross Grand Prix 2016 and the class is MX2. Courtney Duncan achieved the unthinkable going 1-3-2 on her YZ250F.

Hauling (easily say #!@!) against the full grid of proven MX2 riders, with the likes of 2015 EMX 125cc 2nd place Josiah Natzke (KTM NZ), 2012 Australia MXD Champion Kayne Lamont (JCR Yamaha), 2013 Australia MXD Champion Hamish Harwood (KTM NZ), NZ MX Junior Champion 125cc and 250cc Ethan Martens (JCR Yamaha), Courtney’s Overall MX2 victory proves her ability to race and win outside her own class.

Photo Credit: Wolf Media
Photo Credit: Wolf Media

Winning both Women’s and MX2 should be put into perspective and measured against what she will face at the Opening Round of WMX at Qatar, February 26th and 27th.

Factoring differences in track surfaces, pit and race environment and support crew, race times are as good a measure as any, with CD’s lap times beating lap times of riders who competed at MXGP along with WMX riders. At best, Courtney’s proven raw speed, ability to come through and pass riders and sense of focus through-out motos stands her in great stead when the gates drop for MXGP’s World Women’s MX Championship in 3 weeks.

I caught up with Courtney after she finished work 2 days post MX2 Overall win, asking what the win meant to her at that moment and as prep for WMX?

SC: A phenomenal effort at NZ International MX Grand Prix, Woodville at the weekend winning Women’s MX class and MX2. What was your focus going into the day’s racing, competing in 2 classes with a stacked field of your peers in MX2?

Photo Credit: Wolf Media
Photo Credit: Wolf Media

CD: Apart from racing the King of the Mountain the weekend prior I hadn’t been on the line for 10 months so the main focus was just getting comfortable and back in the swing of it all. We knew the class was going to be stacked and there would be situations I would be in where I would have pressure on me- and the racing would be aggressive. All in all it was a huge step for me in preparation leading up to Qatar.

SC: As preparation for the Opening Round of Women’s MX Championship in 3 weeks, was racing both Women’s and MX2 planned to test where you are at come racing at Qatar?
CD: I don’t think so. We haven’t done much racing so the main reason was for more gate time etc. I was going to race Woodville and I’m eligible for both Women’s and MX2 so it makes sense to race both. I got to practice 6 starts and have 6 motos in one day so it was a good challenge.

SC: To line up on the start-line against guys who have competed and won in Europe, Australia and have NZ MX Titles, was going 1-3-2 for the Overall win what you expected?

CD: To be honest I wasn’t even going into that race thinking about results. Of course I have the mentality to always want to win no matter what class or who I am racing but results weren’t really the goal. If I finished 3rd we finished 3rd and if I got 5th we got 5th. It was more a case of coming away with knowing where I struggled and what I needed to work on. I didn’t know what to expect. I just wanted to go there, race tough competition and try put it all together- race with speed and try not to make mistakes. I went there to learn and to get better.

Photo Credit: Wolf Media
Photo Credit: Wolf Media

SC: With great raw speed on the track, an exceptional ability to pass riders right on the last lap and stay focused on riding your own race- how have all these factors come together?

CD: We still have a long way to go in all of those categories. I have a lot to work on but I think we are definitely moving forward. We’re continually looking at areas to improve here at Josh Coppins JCR and we are always working to become a better rider.

SC: Looking ahead to WMX at Qatar in 3 weeks, knowing you have the ability to pull out race times equal and better than guys who raced MXGP Series, does this give you additional confidence going into the Opening Round or just confirm what you already know what you are capable of?

CD: I’m not worried or looking at any other rider. I just need to stay focused on myself and make sure I’m 100% ready for Qatar- keep putting in the work like I’m doing. I’m very excited and can’t wait to get amongst it all. It couldn’t come sooner!!

Small Edit: Courtney Duncan MX2 Overall win at NZ International MX GP 2016

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