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Kiwi motocross champ Courtney Duncan eyes third world title

Courtney Duncan is one race away from glory.

Kiwi motocross champ Courtney Duncan’s on the cusp of a third consecutive world title, after winning the penultimate round in Spain on Saturday night.

The 25-year-old rebounded with a solid 19-second win to take the overall lead, after coming off her bike in a nasty crash in round one that she was lucky to walk away from.

“I ended up in the medical truck in between races... we only have 60 minutes and 45 of that was spent in their trying to get this (finger) fixed up,” Duncan said.

She suffered a minor fracture and laceration that needed local anaesthetic to stitch up, but she said she’s incredibly proud of how she was able to bounce back.

“No matter if things aren’t going my way, or I’m struck with injury – I’m always going to give it 100 per cent and the one that wants to win the most,” she said.

But her mental resilience is being tested. Duncan’s touring solo, half a world away from friends and family - relying on an MIQ “lottery miracle” to get home.

Through tears, she said it’s been one of the toughest years of her life.

“I’m desperate to get home... I’ve been trying every week but unfortunately I’ve come up short,” Duncan said.

As challenging as it is, she’ll put that to the back of her mind for the next week as she rests and recovers ahead of the final round in Italy.

“This is exactly where I wanted to be 15 years ago,” she said.

“It’s exciting to get the opportunity to fulfill your dreams... I just want to go racing tomorrow.”

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