Round two of six in the 2022 Women’s Motocross World Championships (WMX) in Portugal at the weekend was a disastrous one for New Zealand’s defending world champion Courtney Duncan.
The Big Van World MTX Kawasaki team rider from Otago slipped off awkwardly on the second lap of the first practice session on Saturday and immediately felt discomfort in her right shoulder.
This could not prevent the tough New Zealander continuing to circulate, posting lap times just two seconds shy of the pace-setters, but X-rays revealed a fractured collarbone and the track doctor declined permission for her to continue.
Duncan has already returned to her Belgian base to seek further medical advice but with just three remaining rounds in the short series her chances of a fourth consecutive world title are now minimal.
The feisty Kiwi heroine knows there is a six-week gap until the third WMX round in Sardinia on May 14, but her chances of claiming world title No.4 this year are slim to none.
“At this stage we are unsure of the full extent of the injury, however I’ve already arrived in Belgium where I’m scheduled to meet with the surgeon tomorrow to decide what the next step is.”
“It’s a tough pill to swallow and injuries never get easier. However, that’s sport, it doesn’t always go your way and shit happens. Tomorrow is another day and I’ll wake up, lace my shoes up and give it 100 percent, just like I always do.”
Meanwhile, Dutch rider Lynn Valk dominated both women’s races in Portugal to secure her first overall victory of the season and take away the coveted red leader’s number board.
The next round of the WMX series is the MXGP of Sardegna, Riola Sardo, Sardinia, on May 14-15.
RESULTS & STANDINGS:
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification:
1. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), 25:34.087; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:07.434; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:07.991; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +0:24.765; 5. Martine Hughes (NOR, Honda), +0:29.552; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:38.935; 7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:50.039; 8. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, KTM), +0:52.010; 9. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +0:55.719; 10. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, Yamaha), +1:04.742.
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification:
1. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), 24:27.436; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:04.199; 3. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:13.532; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:15.262; 5. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, Honda), +0:44.916; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:49.742; 7. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +1:34.529; 8. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, Yamaha), +1:42.526; 9. Sandra Keller (SUI, Yamaha), +1:49.879; 10. Mathea Seleboe (NOR, Yamaha), +2:00.834.
WMX – Overall Top 10 Classification:
1. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 50 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 44 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 35 p.; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 29 p.; 6. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 26 p.; 7. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, HON), 25 p.; 8. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, YAM), 24 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, FAN), 19 p.; 10. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 19 p.
WMX – Championship Top 10 Classification:
1. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 97 points; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 91 p.; 3. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 68 p.; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 63 p.; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 63 p.; 6. Martine Hughes (NOR, HON), 52 p.; 7. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 49 p.; 8. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 45 p.; 9. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, YAM), 45 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O’Hare (AUS, HON), 42 p.
2022 Women’s Motocross World Championship calendar:
Round 1: March 5-6, MXGP of Lombardia, Mantova, Italy.
Round 2: April 2-3, MXGP of Portugal, Agueda.
Round 3: May 14-15, MXGP of Sardegna, Riola Sardo, Sardinia.
Round 4: May 28-29, MXGP of Spain, intu Xanadú.
Round 5: August 20-21, MXGP of Charente Maritime, St Jean d’Angely, France.
Round 6: September 3-4, MXGP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar.
Photo courtesy Kawasaki
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