Courtney Duncan produces the race of her life to defend her motocross world title

Courtney Duncan is a double world champion.

The Dunedin-based athlete produced an extraordinary journey to defend her Women’s Motocross World Title (WMX) through the teeth (total of tiebreaker wins) in Italy on Sunday morning (NZT).

With just four points separating Dutch championship leader Nancy van de Ven, Duncan and German Larissa Papenmeier, the 24-year-old looked down and out after she hit van de Ven’s rear and hit the ground. exiting the gates in the penultimate race.

But the Kiwi jumped back in his Kawasaki KX250 and came back last, producing the race of his life as he systematically made his way through the countryside in a seemingly impossible hunt to catch Papenmeier.

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With eight minutes still on the clock and 20 seconds behind the German, it looked like Duncan would fall short.

However, Papenmeier collapsed, lost the front of his motorcycle on the third to last lap and crashed.

Duncan took the lead on the final lap to claim an all-important vital victory, the fifth of the season.

She gave her a five-point margin heading into the final race of the season a few hours later, in which Duncan finished third, leaving her and the van de Ven winner tied with 207 points.

Duncan grabbed the world title in total wins, with wins at Matterley Basin, Mantova and Trentino to finish to thank.

Overcome with emotion, Duncan wept happy tears as he gave his post-race interview.

“I am so speechless. Just with all the uncertainty, it has been such a difficult year for me this year. That big crash in Mantova, to get back on my bike and see my bent handlebars. I just thought ‘no, is this championship over?’

But I kept believing and when times got tough, we moved on. I have to thank my entire team, everyone who supports me. This one’s for everyone, I can’t do this alone, so thank you!

“It was so close. Coming to the final round, all the girls were doing very well. The points were 10 apart so we were probably all put under pressure this weekend. Fortunately, I got that first race. “

Duncan, who grew up in the small town of Palmerston, Otago, is returning to New Zealand next week and will begin his two-week quarantine.