Courtney Duncan knows what tough times feel like and unfortunately, her start to the 2022 World Women’s Motocross Championship (WMX) has been a rough one.
While riding in the free practice session at the second round’s MXGP of Portugal on Saturday, the three-time, consecutive world champion had a heavy fall.
“I had a big crash early on in practice and although I finished the session, I was in pain, so I had X-rays at the track. They showed a break to my collarbone. I lined up for the first race but due to FIM rules I was unable to ride and got withdrawn,” Duncan explained.
She was quick to start working on a solution, mindful there is still a six-week gap until the third WMX round in Sardinia on May 14.
“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.”
This misfortune comes on the back of an uncharacteristically low-placed first round, where the best the 25-year-old could manage was sixth place overall. She had arrived late in Europe and on the back foot after visa hold-up issues left her with no time to properly prepare for the intensity of world-class competition.
Lady luck didn’t look after Duncan following the Italian round and a shoulder injury incurred in training soon afterward meant she had not been able to train for several weeks before Portugal.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow and injuries never get easier. However, that’s the 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.”
