ONLINE LAUNCH: NEW 2021 MODELS, INCLUDING NINJA ZX-10R / NINJA ZX-10RR AND Z H2 SE, AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES BEING RESEARCHED & DEVELOPED
NINJA ZX-10R / NINJA ZX-10RR
- Exclusive Kawasaki Racing Team Colors & Graphics
- NEW Aerodynamic Body with Integrated Winglets
- NEW Electronic Cruise Control
- NEW Integrated Riding Modes
- NEW Power Mode Selection
- NEW All LED Lighting
- NEW All Digital TFT Color Instrumentation
- NEW Smartphone Connectivity via RIDEOLOGY THE APP
- Ohlins Electronic Steering Damper
- Kawasaki Engine Brake Control
The Ninja ZX series flagship model. Since 2015 it has won both riders’ and manufacturers’ titles for six consecutive years in the Superbike World Championship, the pinnacle production road racing series. For the 2021 models, that high level of track performance has been elevated yet further. Also, in recognition of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group technologies they contain, the River Mark emblem will be added henceforth, following the Ninja H2 and other models in the H2 series.
The 998 cm3, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, In-Line Four, DOHC engine benefits from feedback based on the Superbike World Championship machine in the form of a new air-cooled oil cooler. As for the limited-production Ninja ZX-10RR (500 machines worldwide), it benefits from new lightweight pistons to complement its titanium connecting rods, both designed by Pankl. Also, a higher rev limit further strengthens the potential of the base model.
Designed with advanced aerodynamics, a new upper cowl with built-in winglets and compact headlights both improves aerodynamic performance and introduces next-generation Ninja styling. Furthermore, chassis geometry has been updated in order to improve upon the Ninja ZX-10R’s cornering performance and nimble handling. Suspension settings have been optimized to match.
Finally, the addition of new features like Electronic Cruise Control and TFT color instrumentation with smartphone connectivity makes it possible to enjoy sport riding in a wider range of situations.
Z H2 SE
- High Performance Showa Suspension Components
- Brembo® Monobloc Brake Calipers
- Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS)
- Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM)
- Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF)
- Electronic Cruise Control
- Integrated Riding Modes
- Assist & Slipper Clutch
- All Digital TFT Color Instrumentation
- Smartphone Connectivity via RIDEOLOGY THE APP
- All LED Lighting
The Z H2 was born as the new flagship model for the Supernaked Z series. Its 998 cm3, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, In-Line Four, DOHC, Balanced Supercharged Engine is placed in a highly rigid trellis frame that delivers nimble handling. It possesses intense acceleration potential and is easy-to-use for everyday riding, while offering respectable fuel economy.
For 2021, the Z H2 SE, which maintains the outstanding levels of power and control of the Z H2 while adding KECS (Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension), joins the lineup. The new electronic suspension implements Showa’s Skyhook Technology*, bringing about an even smoother ride quality, and contributing to a more enjoyable and comfortable riding experience. In addition, a Brembo front brake package includes Stylema monobloc calipers, offering stronger braking performance and enhanced control.
The Skyhook concept imagines a hook supporting the motorcycle’s sprung weight and modulates the suspension’s damping force to allow the wheels to track the dips and bumps encountered while maintaining the motorcycle’s vertical position with minimal disturbance. This results in excellent road holding ability, pitching (especially when riding tandem) is reduced, it is composed at high speeds while steering remains light, and the machine feels more planted in wet conditions, offering increased comfort and enjoyment to the rider.
COURTNEY DUNCAN HAS DONE IT AGAIN. THE KIWI MOTOCROSS PHENOMENON HAS PULLED OFF HER SECOND CONSECUTIVE FIM WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The Dunedin-based rider will be bringing the gold plate and winner’s trophy back to New Zealand following one of the most dramatic ends to the Covid-shortened season that her fans could imagine. The race commentators at the Italian hard-pack Pietramurata track for the final MXGP of Trentino witnessed something extremely special in person and Duncan’s supporters could only watch on screens – with the event run behind closed doors – as she produced the ride of her career in the penultimate race.
The WMX was down to the wire as just four points separated championship leader Nancy Van De Ven, of The Netherlands from DRT Kawasaki’s Duncan. Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier was only a further 2 points back on 160 and Kiara Fontanesi not far behind too on 156 points. As the women exited the gate, Duncan had the worst possible start, as another rider cut in front of her causing her to lose her balance. Her front wheel came up, she clipped the back of Van De Ven and hit the dirt.
Unhurt, a determined Duncan (24) jumped back on board her Kawasaki KX250 and in her favour was the fact that Van De Ven and Fontanesi also went down on the first corner. Coming from dead last the New Zealander rode the race of her life as she carved her way systematically through the field on a seemingly impossible hunt to catch race leader Papenmeier.
As the 20 minutes, plus 2 laps ticked on by, Duncan kept notching up the passes – using lines no one else was prepared to use and double-jumping some of the jumps, she set up an epic final showdown with Papenmeier. With 8 mins still on the clock and 20secs down on the German rider, Duncan’s task seemed out of reach, yet she kept the pressure on. Finally Papenmeier crumbled, losing the front end of her motorbike in the third to last lap and going down – her 10-sec lead swiftly evaporating.
Taking the lead on the last lap, Duncan shot ahead to claim an incredibly vital and well-deserved fifth win of the season by 2.04secs from Papenmeier, with The Netherland’s Lynn Valk in third. As Van De Den and Fontanesi finished fifth and sixth respectively, it gave Duncan an all-important 5-point buffer going into the season’s final race only hours later.
“The start was terrible and I went down. Thankfully a couple of the others went down as well. It was such a crazy race. I’ve got to thank my team in the pit box, they were keeping me on it – letting me know how I was sitting. Definitely proud of how I stayed composed out there in that situation. This is far from done. We’ve got one more to go and you bet I’m going to fight for it,” a fired-up Duncan says.
As the gate dropped Duncan found herself in fifth into the first corner on a track that was not easy. Rugged and deeply rutted, it was going to challenge the best female riders in the world. The Kiwi took her time making her moves, mindful of the fact that her hold on the championship was tenuous at best.
By lap 6 she was only 2-secs down on the leader Van De Ven as they hit lapped traffic. After a six-lap battle a resolute Fontanesi made a move on Duncan, passing her for second. Staying calm, Duncan did what she had to do and rode smart to finish third and defend her world championship crown.
By the end of the race, both Van De Ven and Duncan were tied on 207 points, and the championship was decided on race wins. It was Duncan’s victories in Matterley Basin, Mantova and Trentino today, which helped her secure the gold plate for the second year in a row. Van De Ven was forced to settle for a silver medal this season, while Papenmeier took bronze.
Duncan’s season played out with a perfect first weekend at Matterley Basin with two wins; a slip down the rankings with fourth and second at Valkenswaard; a win and DNF at Mantova and she bounced back with second and a first at the same track only three days later.
Overcome with emotion, Duncan cried tears of happiness as she gave her post-race interview.
“I’m so speechless. Just with all the uncertainty – it’s been just such a difficult year for me this year. That huge crash in Mantova, to get back to my bike and see my handlebars bent. I just thought no, is this championship done? But I kept believing and when the times got tough, we kept going. I have to thank my whole team, everyone that supports me. This one is for everyone, I can’t do this alone, so thank you!”
“It was so close. Coming into the final round all the girls were riding really well. The points were separated by 10 so we were probably all put under the pump this weekend. Thankfully I got that first race win because Nancy and Kiara were on it in the second one and set a really good pace. I’m so grateful. I’ve had a lot of tough times and to come through and get this championship it feels really good.”
“Thanks to all the girls for a really good challenging year. It’s good for the fans who are not here and watching on TV and when a championship is close, I think everyone enjoys it. We will enjoy this one!” Duncan wraps up.
Kawasaki New Zealand’s Managing Director Shane Verhoeven says: “I think we all witnessed a true champion at Trentino this weekend. Well done to Courtney and the Dixon Racing Team for an outstanding effort to bring the championship home after being dealt a bad hand of cards in the first race and still come up trumps.”
Duncan, who grew up in the small Otago town of Palmerston, heads back to New Zealand next week and will begin her two-week quarantine. She has asked schools to get in touch to book in times to have Zoom chats with her in her hotel room.
Results
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 25:42.933; 2. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:02.040; 3. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:20.444; 4. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:31.301; 5. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:34.235; 6. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +1:04.764; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:17.156; 8. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), +1:34.392; 9. Sandra Keller (SUI, KTM), +1:36.965; 10. Francesca Nocera (ITA, Yamaha), +1:39.420.
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), 25:49.193; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +0:01.717; 3. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:07.334; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:19.615; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:29.625; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:43.146; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:02.697; 8. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), +1:28.194; 9. Francesca Nocera (ITA, Yamaha), +1:30.185; 10. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +1:45.525.
WMX – Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 45 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 41 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 37 p.; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 36 p.; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 33 p.; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Francesca Nocera (ITA, YAM), 23 p.; 10. Sandra Keller (SUI, KTM), 21 p.
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 207 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 207 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 200 p.; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 193 p.; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 164 p.; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 135 p.; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 121 p.; 8. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 114 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 94 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, KTM), 91 p.
WMX – Manufacturers Classification: 1. Yamaha, 230 points; 2. Kawasaki, 207 p.; 3. KTM, 200 p.; 4. Suzuki, 99 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 29 p.; 6. Honda, 21 p.
PHOTO CREDIT MXGP
WORDS BY CATHERINE PATTISON
STUNNING DISPLAY OF DOMINANCE BY KAWASAKI ACE
OCTOBER 26, 2020: The Bay of Plenty region was bursting with motorcycling talent over Labour Weekend, the country’s motocross elite all determined to take a share of the glory at this traditional season opener.
And Hamilton’s national MX2 (250cc class) No.2 Josiah Natzke was certainly one man who made the most of his opportunity to steal the limelight.
The Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team star was a stand-out performer at Saturday evening’s Alpinestars SX4 Speedcross stadium event and was also winner on both of the two days of senior racing on Friday and Sunday, either leading his races from the start or simply carving through traffic after a mixed start.
Just a few months ago, racing like this was not thought possible as the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic sent jitters across the planet, but New Zealand – an isolated and self-sufficient island nation so far away from the virus troubles of Europe and the USA – is almost experiencing life as normal.
The popular MX Fest event again attracted all the nation’s major riders and race teams and this year it was an extra special event, run over three days, from October 23-25, as it was expanded to include the annual Battle of the Clubs event on Friday, that stand-alone event a traditional fundraiser for Team New Zealand’s annual assault on the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Europe.
Although the 2020 edition of this international “Olympic Games of Motocross” is not going ahead in France this season, it simply meant that funds raised would help the Kiwis get a head-start on building for their 2021 campaign.
The Battle of the Clubs is an event that had originally been scheduled to run earlier this year, before it was postponed due to the pandemic.
Natzke and his Cambridge Motorcycle Club team-mates – Mike Cotter, Carson Mackie, Brodie Connolly, Hunter Scott and Dylan Westgate – dominated the BOTC on Friday, winning the event outright, thanks in a large part to Natzke’s rare outing in the MX1 class, riding a Kawasaki KX450F.
Natzke qualified second to multi-time national MX1 champion Cody Cooper, who was representing the Tauranga Motorcycle Club, and then Natzke won the MX1/Vets combined race, before finishing runner-up to Cooper in the MX1/MX2 combined race.
Westgate was similarly impressive for the Cambridge effort, winning both his junior grade races.
Natzke also finished a brave runner-up to Cooper in the supercross-style SX4 Speedcross event on Saturday evening before reverting to a solely MX2 (250cc) campaign in the senior motocross on Sunday.
With four wins from four starts against his MX2 rivals, Natzke dominated the 250cc racing, finishing the day a whopping 15 points clear of his nearest threat, current national MX2 champion Maximus Purvis, from Mangakino.
“My first two races were pretty smooth sailing,” said Natzke. “I got two holeshots and two comfortable wins. I’m in a great position now in terms of my build-up for the nationals, probably better than where my rivals are right now to be honest. It could be a different story in March.
“In my third race I messed up the start and had to fight through to the front. I was behind James Scott and Maximus Purvis. Scott was leading but he fell off and then Purvis crashed too and the win kind of fell into my lap.
“The bike is great and I’m feeling confident right now. I can’t wait for the nationals.”
Purvis finished overall runner-up, with Tauranga’s Brodie Connolly third, while Hamilton’s Seton Head impressed by taking his Kawasaki KX250F to fourth overall, probably his best result at this level of competition.
Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
Rea Wins Sixth Straight WorldSBK Title!
Jonathan Rea (KRT) secured his sixth successive WorldSBK Riders’ Championship win with a fourth place in the opening 21-lap race of the final round in Estoril, after starting out 15th on the grid. Alex Lowes (KRT) took a fighting sixth place in the race after qualifying seventh in Superpole.
The latest of Jonathan Rea’s six championship wins, all as an official Kawasaki rider, came after some early dramas as he fell in Tissot Superpole qualifying and had to start from the fifth row of the grid.
Moving up to second place long before half race distance on his Ninja ZX-10RR Rea pushed hard inside the podium positions but had to settle for fourth place at the chequered flag.
On the slow down lap he celebrated his latest championship success on track with a golden crash helmet, six ‘Superbowl style’ winners’ rings and special T-shirts for him all his team, marking his remarkable sextet of straight championship victories in memorable fashion.
Rea still has one more major landmark to shoot for in 2020, as a next WorldSBK race victory would make it a magical 100 in all since he first started out in WorldSBK over a decade ago.
Lowes had a tough and determined fight against both the official Honda machines in race one, as he showed his characteristic grit and desire, finishing inside the top six at a circuit completely new to him this weekend.
One ten lap and a final 21-lap WorldSBK race remain for Jonathan and Alex at Estoril on Sunday, with each out to end what has been at times a highly unusual eight round championship campaign with a flourish.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I have no feeling right now; I cannot even look back. It has been an incredible journey this season. I want to thank WorldSBK, Dorna, all the circuits and organisers to even get racing this year. In the middle of what everyone has experienced in 2020 sport always comes second – but we managed to race. I miss the fans here, I miss not having my family and friends here, and all my travelling support from back home in Northern Ireland; I really miss that. They cannot be here right now but it is for all of them and my Kawasaki Racing Team, for keeping pushing this season. We started behind like last year but never gave up. It has been a hell of a journey and I am so happy.”
Alex Lowes, stated: “First of all I am so happy for all the Kawasaki guys and Jonathan. For the whole of KRT, and especially for the guys on his side of the garage. It is so hard to win a world championship let alone six in a row, so big respect to them. I am proud to be part of the team and let’s hope next year we can get involved too and make it a bit harder for him. In Superpole I feel like I did not do a very good lap on the qualifying tyre. There are quite a few corners here that you are on the side of the tyre for a long time and with the Q it just upset the front a bit, which I did not expect. In the race I got a good start but I wasn’t fast enough in the first few laps. I got into a battle with the two Hondas and I felt I was faster than those guys but they kept passing me and I would get back onto them, but and then the same thing would happen again. It was a bit of a frustrating race because I could not find my own rhythm. I feel that if I could have done, I could have got away a little bit.”
Xavi Fores (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) finished in a strong eighth place in race one, with Sheridan Morais (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) 16th and Loris Cresson (Outdo Kawasaki TPR) 18th.
2020 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020
2020: Races 22, Wins 11, Podiums 17, Superpoles 4
Career Race Wins: 99 (84 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 185 (143 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 27 (23 for Kawasaki)
Alex Lowes:
2020: Races: 22, Wins 1, Podiums 4, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 2 (1 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 24 (4 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
8 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
5 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018 & 2019)
5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 158 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 454 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 92 – second overall
#NinjaSpirit
#Rea6
KAWASAKI HERO TOO GOOD FOR HIS CHAMPIONSHIP RIVALS
OCTOBER 5, 2020: It is enough to make his rivals green with envy – the sheer dominance enjoyed by Kawasaki ace Josiah Natzke at the weekend.
With an amazing 10 wins from 10 starts, the Bridgestone Kawasaki Racing Team rider from Hamilton was simply unstoppable at the 2020 New Zealand Motocross TT Championships at Taupiri, near Huntly, on Saturday and Sunday.
The 21-year-old multi-time former national motocross champion dominated racing on both days, gaining maximum points by winning every race in both the MX1 and MX2 (250cc) classes by a comfortable margin.
“There’s not much happening overseas at the moment, so my focus is totally on the New Zealand scene at the moment,” said Natzke, sounding a warning for his rivals with the 2021 New Zealand Motocross Championships season just around the corner.
“This weekend was my first time this season on the 250cc bike and I am only racing the Kawasaki KX450F at the moment for a little extra bike time, but will be focussing solely on the MX2 class with the Kawasaki KX250F in the next couple of weeks.
“Kawasaki New Zealand has been supporting me really well and I will be looking to racing overseas again later in 2021, if the opportunity arises. Europe would not be my first option. I didn’t enjoy it so much over there the last time I was in Europe, but I would target a ride in the United States or maybe just in Australia. I would love to go racing for the Kawasaki Pro Circuit race team in America and I’m on the right colour bike for that,” he laughed.
“I’m doing everything I can to remain fit and fast. I expect to win races and, if I want to achieve overseas, then I have to prove it here first.”
He certainly proved he was international calibre with his blistering form at Taupiri.
Natzke was superbly backed up in the MX1 class at the weekend by team-mate Ethan Martens, the man from Waitakere eventually settling for third overall in the class, behind Natzke and Hamilton’s national MX1 No.4 Kayne Lamont.
“Kawasaki have been right behind me … Shane Verhoeven and Mike Cotter have been great,” said Natzke. “They go above and beyond for me. They know what my goals and plans are and they’re right on board with me on that.”
Other class winners at the weekend were Stratford’s Camo Keegan (ATV quad bike class); New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe (in the veterans over-45 years, classic pre-1996 bikes and MX3 classes), Red Beach’s Joseph Andrell (senior 125cc class); Te Kauwhata’s Matthew Vining (veterans aged 40-44 years); Hamilton’s Amie Roberts (senior women); Raetihi’s Karaitiana Horne (junior women); Horotiu’s Carter Hanes (junior 250cc); Pukekawa’s Tyler Brown (junior 12-16 years’ 125cc); Cambridge’s Jared Hannon (junior 12-16 years’ 85cc); Taupo’s Declan Connors (junior 8-11 years’ 85cc); Hamilton’s Mikayla Rowe (class pre-2001 bikes); Scott Taylor (enduro bikes); Waitara’s Ollie Payne (mini 65cc); Helensville’s Adam Bockett (mini 50cc).
Meanwhile, Cambridge’s Mike Cotter, the general manager at Kawasaki New Zealand, showed he’d forgotten nothing from his heyday 20 years ago as he kept Natzke and current national MX2 No.3 James Scott, from Oparau, honest in the MX2 (250cc) battles.
Cotter, a 46-year-old father-of-two, races only rarely these days but muscle memory must surely have come into play as the three-time former New Zealand champion (in 1999 and 2000) finished a creditable third overall in the MX2 class.
Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
REDEMPTION FOR COURTNEY DUNCAN WITH ROUND WIN AT PENULTIMATE MXGP
Demonstrating exactly why she is the reigning FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) title holder, Courtney Duncan bounced back from a DNF on Saturday to take the overall round victory yesterday.
Racing at the Italian Mantova track for the second time in three days, Dunedin’s Duncan (24) upped the ante on her 2020 championship defence with a 2-1 set of results at the penultimate race meeting.
The two consistent races boosted the Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team’s rider into an all-out attack position for the final meeting in Pietramurata for the MXGP of Trentino in November. Her well executed round victory slots her into runner-up position, just four points down on the new championship leader Nancy Van De Ven of The Netherlands.
Now in her fifth season racing in the WMX, Duncan proved to the motocross world and to herself that she has the maturity, mental and physical strength to overcome a disappointing previous race where she had what she termed a “pretty nasty crash”.
“I’m so stoked with today – the moto win and the overall. Making up the points was great but to be honest with you, the thing I was most proud of was how I was able to forget about what happened on Sunday, regroup and to come out and put a performance like that in.”
“It makes me really proud – for the team and for everyone that supports me, it’s great. Obviously I needed to as well, it was quite bad, I was 14 points down. It was important that I made it up,” Duncan says.
Kawasaki New Zealand Managing Director Shane Verhoeven summed up how Duncan’s fans will feel about her comeback races.
“I think I speak for all of New Zealand in saying that we are ecstatic to see Courtney put in the work and bounce back from her round 3 crash and take the round 4 overall. It really speaks to her determination and character and we will be backing her to become back-to-back champion at the final round,” he says.
In the opening race, it was Van De Ven who claimed the holeshot and she was closely followed by Italian rider Kiara Fontanesi, Duncan and Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier.
Papenmeier then moved herself quickly into second, finding a few gaps in the first couple of corners, with Fontanesi and Duncan just behind her.
As Van De Ven began to pull away, Fontanesi found a way to pass Papenmeier for second. Fontanesi then caught on to the rear wheel of Van De Ven, while Duncan was looking to go through on Papenmeier as the battle for the win heated up. Eventually Duncan was able to move up a position on lap 6.
By the following lap, Fontanesi was the new race leader as Duncan began to push Van De Ven for second in order to claim as many championship points as possible. This battle for second continued until the chequered flag.
Eventually Fontanesi crossed the line in first, although she was penalised for jumping on a waved yellow flag which ultimately gave Van De Ven the win, with Duncan promoted to second, claiming valuable extra points and Fontanesi dropped to third.
In the second race, Duncan had well and truly found her groove, leading the field around the first turn, with Van De Ven second, Papenmeier third and Fontanesi fourth. The red plate holder going into this round Papenmeier then crashed out of fourth dropping down to 12th.
Duncan then went on to set the fastest lap of the race, as she extended her lead to 3.920 seconds and went on to cruise her way to a race win by 19.2secs.
With one round to go on November 1, the championship chase is heating up as Van De Ven leads Duncan by just 4 points, with Papenmeier dropping to third and Fontanesi in fourth. The five weeks to go before the final round, plays perfectly into the hard-working Kiwi’s hands.
“That’s great for me because it gives me more time with the team, more time to test and more time to put some work in with the [Kawasaki KX250] 21. Having some extra weeks is going to be great. I think I can really put a good stint in there and make a lot of improvements,” Duncan says.
While the final round will be a nail-biter for Duncan’s home-country fans watching her races online back in New Zealand, she’s gunning for the challenge.
“The points are close. It’s going to be whoever wins in Arco [the town hosting the MXGP of Trentino] is champion. It’s going to be a do or die situation and I’m excited for that,” Duncan wraps up.
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), 25:28.624; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:01.593; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +-1:58.382; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:02.698; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:23.631; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:25.880; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:35.469; 8. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:43.571; 9. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), +0:59.409; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, KTM), +1:16.433.
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 25:40.460; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:19.231; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +0:37.942; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:42.282; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:44.658; 6. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), +0:50.077; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:51.165; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:57.334; 9. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:06.966; 10. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), +1:30.616.
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, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 33 p.; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 31 p.; 6. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 30 p.; 7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 28 p.; 8. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 27 p.; 10. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), 21 p.
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 166 points; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 162 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 160 p.; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 156 p.; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 128 p.; 6. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 114 p.; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 102 p.; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 93 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 77 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, KTM), 75 p.
Revised Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar
September 27 – MXGP Lombardia, Mantova circuit, Italy
September 30 – MXGP of Città di Mantova, Mantova circuit, Italy
November 1 – MXGP of Trentino, Pietramurata, Italy
Words: Catherine Pattison
Images: CREDIT MXGP
PHOTO: Boosting her title defence massively, Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team’s Courtney Duncan, of Dunedin, New Zealand, won the MXGP of Città di Mantova penultimate round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, in Italy yesterday. CREDIT MXGP.
FIM WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (WMX) MADE ITS MUCH-ANTICIPATED RETURN IN MANTOVA, ITALY, YESTERDAY FOR ROUND THREE, OTAGO’S COURTNEY DUNCAN HAD THE BEST, THEN THE WORST OF RACES.
After a five-month Covid-19-induced break, the Dunedin rider made her comeback in convincing style on the sandy track with a win in the MXGP of Lombardia’s opening race.
The shortened race programme meant the WMX field lined up only hours later for their second race. Duncan (24) who rides for the English Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team had made her way up to second place when she had what she described as a “massive crash.” The impact over the jump was heavy enough to destroy the handlebars of her new 2021 Kawasaki KX250, leaving an uninjured but devastated Duncan unable to finish the race and collect any championship points.
She had gone into this round with a five-point lead over Larissa Papenmeier but the tables have now been turned with the German rider emerging as the round winner and taking over the championship’s red plate. She sits on 129 points, with Duncan holding on in fourth with 115 points.
Duncan took away the maximum 25 points in the first race after wasting no time moving into the lead. She then kept the hammer down to take an impressive win by 15.9secs from runner-up Papenmeier and Italy’s Kiara Fontanesi.
“It was an up and down day for me, which started off really well as I won the first race and felt pretty good. I had a comfortable lead and maintained it,” Duncan says.
In the second race, although she “didn’t get the best of starts” she quickly charged through to second, chasing the leader Nancy Van De Ven, of The Netherlands. Disaster struck as Duncan had a huge crash on one of the table tops, with her bike taking most of the impact. The damage to her Kawasaki meant the defending world champion was unable to fight back and was forced out of the race, which ultimately cost her the championship lead too.
“I’d made some passes on the opening laps and made my way into second. I wasn’t too far off the lead when I had a massive crash. I ran back to the bike but the handlebars were snapped so there was no way of finishing, which resulted in a DNF,” Duncan says
She only has a short timeframe to regroup with the WMX racing in Italy in only two days’ time on September 30. The MXGP of Città di Mantova, will be held at Mantova circuit again and the tough Kiwi will be fighting to regain the red plate.
“That’s the way life goes sometimes it doesn’t always go to plan. I can dwell on it, or I can go back to work on Tuesday and continue to fight. That’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to show up on Tuesday and give it everything I’ve got,” Duncan says.
Kawasaki New Zealand Managing Director Shane Verhoeven says: “It was great to watch Courtney race the new 2021 KX250 in dominating fashion in the first race at the MXGP Lombardia. The Kawasaki NZ team hope that she is feeling ok after her race 2 crash and we wish her all the best to regroup and finish out the season strong.”
The fifth and final WMX round will be held in Italy again, on November 1.
WMX – Race 1 – Classification: 1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), 25:35.691; 2. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:15.958; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +0:23.592; 4. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), +0:37.053; 5. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:43.306; 6. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:48.586; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +1:02.542; 8. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +1:12.401; 9. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), +1:20.477; 10. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:22.457.
WMX – Race 2 – Classification: 1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), 26:01.397; 2. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:07.758; 3. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:12.095; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:15.000; 5. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +0:15.764; 6. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), +0:32.515; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:33.558; 8. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, KTM), +1:21.203; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:44.215; 10. Sandra Keller (SUI, KTM), +2:00.745.
WMX – Overall Classification: 1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 44 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 41 p.; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 35 p.; 5. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 33 p.; 6. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 32 p.; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 25 p.; 8. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 25 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 21 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, KTM), 18 p.
WMX – Championship Classification: 1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 129 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 119 p.; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 116 p.; 4. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 115 p.; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 98 p.; 6. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 87 p.; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 75 p.; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 60 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 60 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, KTM), 54 p.
PHOTO: Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team’s Courtney Duncan, of New Zealand, had a win and a DNF at the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship’s MXGP of Lombardia. CREDIT MXGP.
Revised Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar
September 27 – MXGP Lombardia, Mantova circuit, Italy
September 30 – MXGP of Città di Mantova, Mantova circuit, Italy
November 1 – MXGP of Trentino, Pietramurata, Italy
Words: Catherine Pattison
WOMEN’S WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMP DUNCAN RETURNS TO EUROPE TO CONTINUE TITLE DEFENCE
The long wait is over and New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan has packed her bags and returned to Europe this week to continue her Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) title defence.
She has been home in Dunedin since March, flying back after the second WMX round in The Netherlands, with a five-point lead over her closest rival. Since then the MXGP calendar has been affected by Covid-19 and Duncan (24) has been waiting on a green light for the women’s racing to resume.Her final three rounds are all scheduled to take place in Italy. The first two meetings on September 27 (MXGP Lombardia) and September 30 (MXGP of Città di Mantova), which are both held on the hard sand Mantova track, are following the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship’s new racing format of mid-week races.
Duncan will remain in Europe and train towards the final Italian round – the MXGP of Trentino on November 1 – where she is targeting her name being re-engraved on the winner’s trophy for 2020.
“I’d be lying if I said I was happy with just one world championship. I want another one and that’s what I’m aiming towards. I want to go over there and ride to the best of my ability. I’ll be putting myself in good positions to score some strong finishes and the rest will come,” Duncan says.
She flew to England yesterday, to re-join her Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team at their Portsmouth base. Her self-isolation time will be happily spent getting straight onto her new 2021 Kawasaki KX250F and turning out some test laps at the team’s track.
“Kawasaki have bought out a whole new bike. It will be cool to go over there a few weeks early and get comfortable on it,” Duncan says.
She has borne the frustration of previous WMX races, such as the recent round in Turkey, being scheduled then scrapped, with her characteristic philosophical approach.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m excited for the new schedule.”
“To be honest, I’ve just enjoyed being home training back in New Zealand and I made the most of the local tracks.”
Duncan was even able to enter a national race meeting for the first time in three years, competing at the King of Central in Cromwell in July. Easily winning her four races against both the MX2 men and in the women’s class, the race-pace outings gave her the edge she needed to head back into battle mode.
“There’s nothing like racing itself and getting behind the gate a few times. You learn different things in racing that you don’t pick up in practise. Even though this was a local event, it still got my adrenaline pumping and gave me an appetite for what I’ve got coming up in Italy,” Duncan says.
Kawasaki New Zealand Managing Director Shane Verhoeven says: “After what has been an uncertain year, I am excited by the news that the WMX championship is resuming again after round two.
While it has been exciting to watch Courtney train and race on local soil over the break, myself and the team at Kawasaki NZ would like to wish the champ all the best for the third round. As always, we will be cheering Courtney on from the other side of the globe!”
After double wins in the season opener and 4-2 results at the second round, Duncan leads the WMX series with 90 points. Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier is in second place on 85 points, while six-time world champion Kiara Fontanesi, of Italy, is third with 80 points.
“Thanks to my supporters and sponsors for everything you do for me. I’ll do my best to bring the world number one title back home to New Zealand for you all again come November,” Duncan says.
PHOTOS: New Zealand’s Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team rider Courtney Duncan finally has the green light to return to racing in Europe where she will defend her Women’s Motocross World Championship title over three more rounds.
2020 Women’s Motocross World Championship points
| 1 | 1 | Duncan, Courtney. | NZL | KAW | 90 |
| 2 | 423 | Papenmeier, Larissa. | GER | YAM | 85 |
| 3 | 8 | Fontanesi, Kiara. | ITA | KTM | 80 |
| 4 | 85 | Van De Ven, Nancy. | NED | YAM | 78 |
| 5 | 172 | Valk, Lynn | NED | YAM | 66 |
Revised Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar
September 27 – MXGP Lombardia, Mantova circuit, Italy
September 30 – MXGP of Città di Mantova, Mantova circuit, Italy
November 1 – MXGP of Trentino, Pietramurata, Italy
Photos: Kawasaki Europe, MXGP
Words: Catherine Pattison
