Courtney Duncan interview

Courtney Duncan from Dunedin in New Zealand has really been a nice addition to the Women’s Motocross World Championship in recent years. The diminutive kiwi has shown blazing speed and continues to look like a solid candid for the world title in 2017.

We caught up with her and asked her about Loket last weekend and also her plan for the rest of the season.

Q: Courtney, congratulation on the win. How did it go for you?

Courtney Duncan: It was a good weekend. First race I got the win, so I was happy with that. Second race it was pretty slippery as they had rain. They also watered the track and I got second. I couldn’t be happier with how the weekend went.

Q: That first race, you won, but it wasn’t an easy win. You passed her with two corners to go or something?

Courtney Duncan: Yes, it wasn’t an easy win, and I made it hard for myself on the start. I was outside the top ten on the first lap and I was careful early and then half way through put the hamper down and was able to pass on the final lap.

Q: The competition for the Women’s Motocross World Championship is really strong, with four ladies all in the hunt. How difficult is that?

Courtney Duncan: It is definitely tough, you just have to do the best you can do and salvage as many points as possible. It’s tough, but it’s also good.

Q: Do you all get on?

Courtney Duncan: I get along with them all and talk with them off the track and when the helmet comes off we get along fine.

Q: Two rounds left, are you excited or nervous?

Courtney Duncan: I am excited. Assen is next and I am pumped for that. I have been living in Belgium, so that will help. Two more rounds, so a lot of opportunities.

Q: It’s a big gap until Assen. How is that, you mentioned you live in Belgium, how good is that to have a solid base?

Courtney Duncan: It’s been really good to live over here and you get to make it your home. New Zealand is 30 hours in the aeroplane, so there is jet-lag. It’s summer over here and winter in New Zealand, so it’s easier for riding. Also, I have so much to learn in the sand and living in Belgium helps that.

Q: Being based in Belgium, how is your preparation there?

Courtney Duncan: Sure, you can go to Lommel, or Almen, and you usually have like five GP riders there, so you can check your speed. It’s all good.

Q: Josh Coppins is your manager, what is it like having Josh around?

Courtney Duncan: He has been over in Europe the last couple of months, so it’s good having him here. Also, my mechanic has been working hard, so I can’t thank them enough.

Q: What are your goals?

Courtney Duncan: We take it week by week, and the next step is Assen, and we do the best we can. Go into the final and see. We take each race as it comes.

Author:

Geoff Meyer