The penultimate round of the WMX Championship took place at Intu Xanadú this weekend in Spain, where Courtney took her 3rd overall GP Victory. The weekend started out well with a solid 2nd position in qualifying, giving the Kiwi a good base to work from in the following races.
Duncan didn’t have the best start in race one but quickly made it through to the lead. She would eventually lose her lead after attempting to adjust her goggles on a straight and was thrown over the handlebars. Quickly remounting the slightly bent bike Duncan was able to continue the race and finish in 2nd ahead of her series contender Kiara Fontanesi. It was more textbook riding in race two as Duncan rode a smart and sensible race, using her better start to maintain a lead throughout the race and take the chequered flag for the overall. the “1” will head into the final WMX Championship round with a 16 point lead, giving small breathing room and a solid game plan to bring home a third consecutive title for Kawasaki.
In MX2 it was more consistent riding from the Australian, although he was unable to find an opportunity for a solid lap in qualifying, leaving him in 18th position on the gate. With a tough start in each race, Todd pushed his way through to finish in 11th and 10th for 9th overall, extending his Championship points into 11th, where he sits just 3 points away from the top 10.
There are now 5 GP’s in Italy over 20 days, so consistency will be key to bring home as many points as possible before the season ends.
Steve Dixon – Manager: “Back with the WMX on Saturday and MX2 on Sunday this weekend in Spain. A good 2nd place in timed from Courtney started off the weekend well. In the first race, she didn’t have the best start but came through quickly to take the lead, everything looked under control until Courtney made an amateur error, going over the handlebars after trying to take off a roll-off during a straight. She managed to remount the slightly bent-up bike and finish 2nd. A better start in race 2, moving into the lead after a few laps. She stuck to the game plan, reading the pit board, and finished in 1st place to take the overall win. This means we’re going into the last round with a bit of cushion, hopefully helping us bring home the 3rd back to back WMX championship win for Courtney and Kawasaki. She won’t be able to ride this week due to a fractured finger from the crash but we know what we have to do.
Wilson struggled to get a clear lap in the timed practice, which when you’re looking for those half a seconds isn’t ideal. With an 18th start, some tough and technical riding was required, but he managed to bring home an 11th and 10th for 9th place overall scoring some solid points. We’ll keep pushing for improved results, consistency will be key for this last part of the season, then it will only be a short break before we are back for the 2022 season. .”
Courtney Duncan: “It was a tough weekend but we got the job done. It didn’t start off on the right foot, first tangling with Kiara and then a huge crash. It was a pretty stupid mistake; I should have known better than that and I only had myself to blame. I ended up in the medics, getting taped up with a deep cut in my finger; I was in pain for the second moto, but I was happy to rebound with the win. Once the adrenaline kicks in you forget the pain. The track was difficult but I rode smooth, rode smart, and kept it upright; you had to execute where you could pass and try not to make mistakes; I was able to make my way to the front quickly and put in some solid laps. I didn’t feel spectacular but I got the job done. Now I’m looking forward to the final round next weekend in Trentino. I’ve been in this situation before with the title on the line; I just have to be open-minded and confident. “
Wilson Todd: “I was just a bit off the pace in Quali and two bad starts from an outside gate didn’t help. I just got stuck behind other riders at their pace but could pick it up after I got around them; I finally came alive the last five laps. I’m looking forward to the next three rounds at Arco; I rode there last year so I already know the track for once. “
