It was in 2009 Courtney Duncan carved her own career path racing FIM Junior World MX Championship 85cc class at NZ’s Taupo Motorcycle club venue finishing 3rd Overall. Rest is history in the making.
Being only girl to race against the all out boys class was no deterrant for the then 13 year old, who had already established non-changeable routine back home- riding, training, racing as much as possible- and if petrol container wasn’t filled- whoa!! look out.
If Courtney defied all odds of making career out of racing Motocross it was her sense of belief, self-confidence and all out motivation to race her best. And, she did- racing for National wins in NZ, then onto USA and now Europe WMX.
2011 was head-turner for many within sport when Courtney lined up at America’s Ponca City Junior Motocross Nationals– not only winning girls 65cc-85cc class but taking 3rd in male dominated 85cc-150cc stock class.
Sounds all good on record, but when you actually live through what it takes for a teenage Kiwi based at bottom of NZ’s South Island, together with step-father Noddy pulling out all stops to make it happen- race wins in the world’s premier Junior Nationals was no small feat.
And, I clearly remember greeting both at Auckland International airport after Courtney won at Hangtown Triple Crown AMA Women’s Pro Outdoors, outside on footpath putting together huge, tall trophy for filming and asking Noddy what was in the ice-eskie? ‘The engine- we took it over with us!!”.
From racing NZ’s only Grand Prix at Woodville in 2016, and winning MX2 against the boys- this was one judgement call which set Courtney’s drive for future success. The win was more than a podium, Courtney beat NZ’s Josiah Natzke who raced EMX 125cc class in 2015 finishing 2nd behind Jorge Prado (KTM Junior Racing Team with Stefan Everts).
Then onto race-career-dream- racing Women MX World Championship Series with Opening Round at Qatar in 2016. Hard to believe, Courtney with Noddy were stuck in last tent- in long row of Team set-ups, one table, 4 tools, bike in crate with Courtney having less than an hour to set-up, test and run the YZ250F race bike.
And she won- going 1-1 in WMX Opening Round debut season, with the following 3 seasons an all out experience to this weekend’s 1-1 victory at 2019 WMX Round 3 at MXGP of Loket.
Impressive for die-hard racers wanting inspiration on how to achieve goals, for girls, guys, fans and mainstream audience that passion combined with attitude can move mountains- even more so when living in New Zealand.
Photo Header Courtney Duncan 2019 WMX Round 3 MXGP of Loket
Words: Sharon Cox.
Film edit 2016 Woodville International Grand Prix Courtney Duncan wins MX2
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