Duncan increases lead with another win in world motocross champs

Courtney Duncan in action at the world championship round in Madrid.
Photo: Photosport

New Zealand’s Courtney Duncan has extended her lead in the women’s motocross world championship after a second win at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

The three-time world champion claimed top spot for the first time this season by winning Sunday’s opening race before riding to victory in and Monday morning’s second race to increase her lead in the overall standings.

Duncan is on top at the halfway point of the championship, with rounds still to come in France, Netherlands and Turkey.

Duncan snatched the lead with a dominant win on Sunday, taking the victory by more than 20 seconds.

Having qualified in pole position, the Kawasaki rider couldn’t be caught, with Italian rival Kiara Fontanesi forced to settle for second place, followed by Spaniard Daniela Guillen.

Duncan knocked Lotte van Drunen off the top of the standings after the Dutchwoman only managed seventh.

Van Drunen won the opening round in Sardinia in March before Duncan struck back with victory in the Switzerland leg last month.

Duncan, 27, won the world crown in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but couldn’t contend for last year’s title after missing a number of rounds.

– RNZ