In an historic first for Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ), two Kiwi world champion riders Courtney Duncan and Hamish MacDonald were officially presented with their 2019 FIM World Championship medals at a glittering ceremony in Monaco, on Sunday night. (Monday NZ time).
Since MNZ became affiliated with the FIM in 1986, New Zealand has never had two riders win world championship events in a single season.
MacDonald and Duncan experienced a red carpet entrance into the beautiful Sporting Monte-Carlo venue, which boasts views out across one of the most famous bays in Europe and mingled with other 2019 FIM World Champions, including Alex Marquez ‰ÛÒ Moto2, Tim Gajser ‰ÛÒ MXGP, Bartosz Zmarzlik ‰ÛÒ Speedway GP, Emma Bristow ‰ÛÒ Women‰Ûªs TrialGP, Bradley Freeman ‰ÛÒ EnduroGP and Sam Sunderland ‰ÛÒ Cross Country Rallies.
They then joined nearly 600 guests at the most illustrious occasion on the international motorcycling calendar, before being awarded for their incredible achievements. Dunedin-based 23-year-old Duncan (Kawasaki) dominantly won the FIM Women‰Ûªs Motocross World Championship in 2019, after three years of near misses, since bursting onto the scene as a race-winning rookie in 2016. While 20-year-old MacDonald (Sherco), of Christchurch, claimed the FIM 125cc Youth Enduro World Championship - New Zealand‰Ûªs first title in the discipline, thanks to an impressive second season at this level.
MNZ General Manager Virginia Henderson said, ‰ÛÏIt was an extremely proud day for the New Zealand motorcycling community to see Courtney and Hamish receive their medals. The FIM Awards provide a fitting moment to recognise and reward the exploits and achievements of all the two-wheel heroes and heroines and officially crown them as the 2019 FIM World Champions.‰Û
