Otago's Courtney Duncan Wins the Spanish Round and extends her lead in the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship
Otago’s Courtney Duncan takes her Kawasaki KX250 to the Spanish round win and extends her lead in the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship PHOTO CREDIT: MXGP.
There’s no better place to be than out front when the dust settles on the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship penultimate round and that’s exactly where New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan stands.
Riding for the first time on the series-new intu-Xanadù track in Arroyomolinos, Spain, Duncan not only retained her red plate, but she also won the round and extended her lead out to 16 points over main rival, Italy’s Kiara Fontanesi.
By no means did Bike it MTX Kawasaki’s Duncan have it all go her way, and as always, she fought tooth and nail for her runner-up position in race one and victory in the second outing.
In the first race, Dutchwoman Shana Van der Vlist took the holeshot ahead of Fontanesi and Dutch rider Nancy Van De Ven, who quickly jumped into the lead.
Defending champion Duncan started the race in around fifth but moved quickly up to third after passes on Van der Vlist and home-country rider Gabriela Seisdedos.
Fontanesi continued to lead the race with a 1.711 second advantage to Van De Ven, as Duncan started to close in on the Dutch rider ahead of her.
Duncan then set the fastest lap of the race as she began to hunt down Fontanesi and before WMX fans knew it, there was a repeat of the previous round in Turkey. The two multi-time world champions embarked on an intense battle for the lead, and it got physical. They banged bars going around a corner, which resulted in Fontanesi going down.
The drama didn’t stop there and just as it looked like Duncan was going to take a race victory, she hit a rut while pulling her goggles’ tear-off and crashed. It allowed Van De Ven to take the lead and go on to win the race. Fontanesi caught on to the back of Duncan in the final laps, but unable to make a pass stick, she finished third.
Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier got the holeshot in race two, ahead of Van De Ven and Duncan. The Otago flyer then moved swiftly into second and set her sights on Papenmeier for the lead.
After taking it over, Duncan then clocked the fastest lap of the race as she extended her lead to 6.153 seconds over Van De Ven. The 25-year-old consecutive double world champion dominantly won the race by 19 seconds, taking the Spanish round crown, and securing herself a handy points buffer heading into the final round at Italy’s Pietramurata track in a week’s time.
“The goal coming in was to extend my lead in the championship, so it was nice to do that today. The first moto didn’t quite go to plan with the big crash while leading. I’m a little bit disappointed – it was a simple mistake on my behalf. You live and you learn, I suppose,” Duncan says of the crash which left her with a slight fracture and a large cut to her finger.
“Moto 2 was a different story, and I was able to get off to a good start and make some passes on the first lap. After making my way into the lead, I pulled a solid gap, then maintained it to win the overall and stretch the lead out to 16 points.”
Van De Ven sits third in the championship, a further 12 points behind second-placed Fontanesi.
Duncan enjoyed the new, Spanish dirt track and praised its layout and jumps.
“It got really technical, with a lot of ruts out there, which made for some good racing.”
She heads back to England tomorrow and will have about five days at her Kawasaki team base before flying back to Italy for next weekend’s final, which has been brought forward by a week.
“Not a whole lot goes on now. The most important thing is recovery and making sure I can get my body in the best spirit it can be to go chase the championship.”
As far as emotions go, Duncan’s keeping them firmly in check and staying level-headed.
“At the end of the day I haven’t won anything yet. That big prize and reward lies ahead in seven days’ time. Until then I need to continue doing my thing, putting in the work, and making sure I’m ready. At the same time, it’s exciting and I can’t wait to get back out there and get racing!” Duncan says.
Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven described the Spanish round as: “Yet another display of brilliance from Courtney, who takes another step closer to her third title and it was by no means an easy win. WMX has displayed some of the most bar-banging racing of any class this season and Courtney’s rivalry with six-time world champion Kiara Fontanesi has reached new heights.”
“I think all of her fans were on the edge of their seats witnessing her spectacular spill in race one. Once again, she bounced back to show the grit and determination Courtney’s become known for – to recover and claim the overall. The final round in Trentino is a track that Courtney has proven herself at in the past. It will be one to watch!” he wraps up.
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), 24:46.750; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:05.314; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:05.783; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:25.970; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:28.397; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:30.947; 7. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, Honda), +0:49.668; 8. Lynn Valk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:51.550; 9. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), +0:51.936; 10. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:11.836;
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 25:12.532; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:19.304; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:22.742; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:29.126; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:30.161; 6. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), +0:37.192; 7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:14.423; 8. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), +1:21.817; 9. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, Honda), +1:25.664; 10. Mathea Seleboe (NOR, Yamaha), +1:50.685;
WMX – Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 47 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 47 p.; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 40 p.; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 34 p.; 5. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 29 p.; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), 27 p.; 8. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, HON), 26 p.; 9. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Lynn Valk (NED, HUS), 19 p.;
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 223 points; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 207 p.; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 195 p.; 4. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 170 p.; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 167 p.; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 153 p.; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, HUS), 140 p.; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 130 p.; 9. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), 125 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, HON), 89 p.;
WMX – Manufacturers Classification: 1. Kawasaki, 223 points; 2. GASGAS, 207 p.; 3. Yamaha, 199 p.; 4. KTM, 182 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 140 p.; 6. Honda, 89 p.; 7. Suzuki, 39 p.; 8.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
2021 Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar
1 Saturday, July 24 GP of Czech Republic, Loket
2 Saturday, July 31 GP of Flanders-Belgium, Lommel
3 Saturday, September 4 GP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar
4 Tuesday, September 7 GP of Afyon, Afyonkarahisar
5 Saturday, October 16 GP of Spain, intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
6 Sunday, October 24 – GP of Trentino, Pietramurata
Words: Catherine Pattison
Kawasaki unveils new River Mark corporate identity symbol
A company with over 120 years of heritage, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), encompasses manufacturing enterprises focusing on sea, land, air and even into deep space. Following the announcement of the creation of a new company within the Kawasaki group created to solely focus on the manufacture of motorcycles and stand-alone engines, Kawasaki Motors Ltd is now rolling out a new corporate identity which reflects both the heritage aspect of this global enterprise and to symbolise optimism of the future.
The River Mark – which is a stylised representation of the Japanese character meaning River – first appeared in the 1870’s at which time it was seen on the flags of ships owned by the Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard, the forerunner to Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Being formed by Shōzō Kawasaki in 1878, the company first concentrated on ship building fulfilling the desire for Japan to export goods, and for the island nation to take its place on the international trading arena. With a solid reputation for marine innovation and construction quality, the ambitious company soon expanded into civil engineering, rolling stock and steam engine manufacture finally breaking the bounds of earth by creating its first aircraft.
At key points during the century plus evolution of this vast company with its global reach and reputation, the River Mark has been used, its application being restricted to Kawasaki’s most significant products of their time. In the modern era, the River Mark once more came to prominence as it appeared boldly on the cowlings of the unique to Kawasaki, Ninja H2 and Ninja H2R machines powered by their in-house designed and manufactured supercharged engines unveiled in 2015.
Now, on 6 October 2021, Kawasaki has declared that the time is right to adopt the famous River Mark as its Corporate Identity symbol and for this simple yet effective round logo to be the main identifying symbol for the combined efforts of its many companies and their diverse products in both commercial and public consumer environments.
Commenting on the roll out of the new logo, Mr Masaya Tsuruno, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe said:
“The world has changed immeasurably in the century plus history of the Kawasaki company – none more so that in the past few years. As we roll out our new corporate identity with the River Mark at its core, we look to take a next, bold step in terms of technology and engineering as well as enhancing the lives of countless people around the world with a focus on sustainability and emerging green technologies. While some things change others remain constant such as our commitment to be the best in our chosen fields; the River Mark is a fitting symbol of this commitment.”
Courtney Duncan crosses the finish line to win the Turkish MXGP round.
“GOING 2-1 FOR THE OVERALL AND TAKING THE RED PLATE BACK. CAN’T GO TOO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT,” IS HOW KIWI MOTOCROSS STAR COURTNEY DUNCAN SUMS UP HER SUCCESSFUL SATURDAY OF RACING IN THE MXGP OF TURKEY.
Courtney Duncan crosses the finish line to win the Turkish MXGP round. PHOTO CREDIT: MXGP
“Going 2-1 for the overall and taking the red plate back. Can’t go too much better than that,” is how Kiwi motocross star Courtney Duncan sums up her successful Saturday of racing in the MXGP of Turkey.
The bounce back was all part of the defending FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion’s plan, and she now heads Italian rider Kiara Fontanesi by a healthy 15 points, with previous round winner Dutchwoman Shana van der Vlist dropping back to third overall.
The racing up front was as fierce as the temperatures, which rose to around 30degC at the Afyonkarahisar circuit, with Bike IT MTX Kawasaki’s Duncan locked in tussles with Fontanesi for the majority of the two races.
“I had some good battles with Kiara. She got me in the first one when I made a slight mistake and went off the track. I lost about 12 seconds, so I gave up too much time there but salvaged second,” Duncan says of the opening moto.
Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier had grabbed the holeshot earlier in the race but faded which allowed Duncan, Fontanesi and Belgium’s Armandine Verstappen through.
With Duncan in the lead, Fontanesi was looking to work away at the 5.517 second gap between her and the race leader, while Dutch rider Nancy Van De Ven pushed to pass Papenmeier.
Fontanesi then set the fastest lap of the race as she closed in on the Kawasaki rider while Van De Ven was finally able to take fourth from Papenmeier.
A couple of laps later, Fontanesi was on Duncan’s rear tyre. A small mistake presented Fontanesi with the perfect opportunity to get her GasGas machine out in front as she took the lead on lap eight. Duncan was looking to fight back but went off track, losing those 12 seconds as a result.
Fontanesi won the race with Duncan second and Verstappen holding onto third.
In the second race the two multi-time champions battled it out again.
“I followed Kiara for the whole race. I felt like I had a bit more speed, but it was just difficult to make passes as the rack was quite one-lined,” Duncan says.
Italy’s Elisa Galvagno had grabbed the holeshot from Van De Ven, Duncan, Papenmeier and Fontanesi.
Van De Ven then took the lead with Fontanesi getting around Duncan for second. By the end of the opening lap there was a lead change as Fontanesi was able to get good drive and hustle past the Dutchwoman.
Duncan passed Van De Ven for second place and after dicing with her for a few laps put her head down to close in on Fontanesi. She got the gap down to 0.884 seconds and then it was game on. As the Kiwi continued to push, she made a mistake which allowed Fontanesi to run away. This reprieve didn’t last long as Duncan clocked in some very fast laps on her Kawasaki KX250 to end up breathing down the Italian’s neck again.
“I rode patient and stayed composed out there. Then I saw the one lap card come up and knew if I wanted to have a go, I had to do it now. I left it until the second to last corner and gave it everything,” Duncan says, of executing her daring and determined passing move on Fontanesi.
“I was very stoked to get that win in the second race, extend my points lead and get that red plate,” Duncan says.
Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven stayed up late to watch Duncan racing on MXGP-TV.
“Another great performance by Courtney yesterday in Afyonkarahisar. In a theme that we’ve become accustomed to, she had to dig deep for the moto 2 win. The last-corner pass for the overall was spectacular and I’m sure that will make the highlight reel for years to come! The team at Kawasaki wishes her all the best for the second round of the Turkey double header in two days time,” he says.
Despite the hot conditions, Duncan felt strong, and her fitness was solid.
“I really enjoyed the track and I’ve been here previously obviously. It has a good layout, fun jumps and good ruts out there,” she says of the 1725-metre hard pack circuit, where she won her first world championship in 2019.
Duncan gets to do it all again on Tuesday as the close-together rounds mean she races another two motos in the MXGP of Afron. Rest and recovery are paramount, and Duncan’s plan was simple. Sleep, followed by a massage tomorrow and an easy cycle. She will eat well, hydrate a lot and chill out.
Her mind will be 100 percent focused on hitting repeat in two days’ time.
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), 25:15.247; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:05.922; 3. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:23.598; 4. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:24.160; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:24.938; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:44.661; 7. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, Yamaha), +0:50.273; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:51.266; 9. Lynn Valk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:57.145; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, Honda), +1:15.799;
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 25:06.664; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:00.342; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:34.376; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:38.067; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:47.858; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:08.572; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, Husqvarna), +1:13.256; 8. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), +1:16.168; 9. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, Yamaha), +1:18.573; 10. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:19.704;
WMX – Top 10 Overall Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 47 points; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 47 p.; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 36 p.; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, HUS), 26 p.; 8. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, YAM), 26 p.; 9. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), 22 p.;
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 132 points; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 117 p.; 3. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 113 p.; 4. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 110 p.; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, HUS), 98 p.; 6. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 95 p.; 7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 94 p.; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 72 p.; 9. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), 72 p.; 10. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, YAM), 51 p.;
WMX – Manufacturers Classification: 1. Kawasaki, 132 points; 2. GASGAS, 117 p.; 3. KTM, 117 p.; 4. Yamaha, 112 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 98 p.; 6. Honda, 43 p.; 7. Suzuki, 31 p.;8.
2021 Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar
1 Saturday, July 24 GP of Czech Republic, Loket
2 Saturday, July 31 GP of Flanders-Belgium, Lommel
3 Saturday, September 4 GP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar
4 Tuesday, September 7 GP of Afyon, Afyonkarahisar
5 Saturday, October 16 GP of Spain, intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
6 Saturday, October 30 – GP of Trentino, Pietramurata
Words: Catherine Pattison
Covid 19 Update-Parts & Accessories
COVID-19 Update ~ We will be OPEN at Level 3.
All departments will be open, but will not be able to allow customers into the store.
Parts and Accessories can be supplied courier to your door or with contactless pick up outside the shop. ►
Covid 19 Update-Workshop
COVID-19 Update ~ We will be OPEN at Level 3.
Our workshop staff will be open for Servicing, Repairs and WOF's on your Motorbike.
Contact the Workshop - Phone 03 456 3633 - Ext 102 or Email-parts@motoxtreme.co.nz.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FIRST ~ ONLY BY APPOINTMENT ►
Covid Update - 18th August 2021
...
DUNCAN SALVAGES CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND IN THE BELGIAN SAND
After racing on the unfamiliar surface of sand in Belgium, New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan is a close second in the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. PHOTO CREDIT: THIBAULT PHOTOGRAPHY.
An exacting weekend on the sandy Lommel track at the MXGP of Flanders-Belgium, has seen New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan fight hard to hold onto second overall in the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX).
The two-time consecutive title winner from Dunedin, missed out on a round podium for this second meeting, but bolstered by her two wins at last weekend’s season opener, she sits on 85 points – only two shy of new series leader Dutchwoman Shana Van Der Vlist (87).
Riding for the England-based Bike it MTX Kawasaki team, Duncan’s day didn’t start the way she’d hoped. As the gate dropped for the first WMX race, she came out further down the order in eighth place.
Duncan then got caught up in the first lot of race drama, when she was looking to dive down the inside of Denmark’s Sara Andersen. The pair touched, and both crashed as a result. Keen to salvage some points, Duncan slogged her way through the heavy sand to finish sixth, with Lynn Valk emerging the winner in front of her home crowd.
Determined to make amends in the second race, Duncan got off to a good start, leading a trio of her title rivals, Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier, Nancy Van De Ven, of the Netherlands, and Belgian Amandine Verstappen. Italian Kiara Fontanesi then stormed through the field making several attempts to pass the Kiwi Kawasaki rider for the lead, eventually succeeding by lap four.
Riding her Kawasaki KX250 hard, Duncan cemented herself into third after a fierce battle with Van De Ven, which went on for several laps. In the end it was Van Der Vlist who enjoyed her first WMX race victory as Fontanesi, and Duncan finished second and third respectively.
Duncan says the Belgian sand tracks are not replicated anywhere else in the world and certainly not in New Zealand where she spent the summer training.
“It was a tough day in Belgium’s sand but we knew it would be tough. The local and European girls live here, or can train here and it’s always going to be hard to compete with that.”
“It’s hard to accept though, especially after coming off double wins. However, I’m not going to beat myself up about it. I put my best effort into the two races, fought all the way to the chequered flag and banked important points.”
“I have to remind myself that championships are won on your bad days. I’m going to keep my chin up and keep working hard. We’re in a positive position and there’s a long way to go,” Duncan says.
Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven agrees with Duncan about the saying you win championships on your bad days.
“To see her display her characteristic grit and determination against riders more acclimatised to the deep sand conditions of Lommel in both motos was great to witness on MXGP-TV,” he says.
“Moto 2 was especially exciting to watch Courtney regather herself mid-moto, increase her intensity and pressure the front runners again late in the race. Good luck for the next round CD!” Verhoeven wraps up.
The WMX action heads to Turkey for a special double-header race on September 4 and 5, closely followed by a mid-week race on September 7 and 8.
Words: Catherine Pattison
Biggles Racing Team and Kawasaki New Zealand join forces.
Kawasaki New Zealand (Kawasaki Motorcycle Distributors) is proud to announce the partnership with Biggles Racing Team (BRT) for 2021/2022 road race season. The team will contest the NZSBK series aboard two new 2021 Ninja ZX-10R superbikes with riders Campbell Grayling and Jason Hearn.
Kawasaki New Zealand, owned by parent company, the Verhoeven Group (VGL) is a proudly NZ family-owned business and the association with BRT was a natural fit for KNZ.
BRT Team Owner/Manager Marcus Beagley has a history with Kawasaki and road racing, having previously raced a Ninja ZX-6R to a top 10 finish in NZ Supersport 600 class. Team partner Grant Shivas is also excited for the partnership. Grant’s involvement began by chance as a spectator at a motorcycle racing event. Naturally, Grant’s background in motorsport compelled him to become involved in the excitement of motorcycle racing.
Mike Cotter, General Manager of Kawasaki NZ believes the partnership will be the start of a long-term relationship and the timing could not be better, coinciding with the release of the all-new 2021 Ninja ZX-10R. “The team at Kawasaki are passionate about motorcycling with majority of staff participating in a full spectrum of motorcycling codes. Racing is something that we enjoy being a part of, so the opportunity to partner with Marcus, Grant and the team was an easy decision”, commented Mike.
Campbell and Jason join esteemed Kawasaki supported racers Avalon Biddle and Dave Sharp and are relishing the opportunity to step up to the premier class while learning to adapt to the ZX-10R as quickly as possible.
“Jumping from the Supersport 300 class straight into Superbikes is a big step for the riders and team but our expectations are realistic. This partnership is about the bigger picture and paving a way for future champions in road racing”, says Alarn Young, Marketing Co-Ordinator for Kawasaki NZ.
Biggles Racing Team is also supported by Dunlop tyres.
