The Dunedin-based rider was chasing a fourth consecutive women’s motocross championship title when injury ruined her 2022 campaign.
She crashed and broke her collarbone during a practice session ahead of the second round of the world championships in Portugal last year.
The 27-year-old was forced to withdraw and missed round three in Italy as well while she recovered.
But Duncan returned for the final two rounds in Spain and Turkey and collected three wins and a second placing.
She was just as fast as ever, but the four races she missed during the middle of the season cost her a shot at defending her title.
Dutch rider Nancy van der Ven collected her first championship title and the gold plate, with fellow Dutch rider Lynn Valk second and German rider Larissa Papenmeier third.
Duncan, who actually won more races than the new champion, had to settle for seventh.
She had surgery on her collarbone in Europe last year and had a plate inserted. That was removed back home in Dunedin in November.
"It was pretty straightforward, really. I was in and out of hospital in a day, but we did wait six weeks before I jumped back on the bike," Duncan said.
"‘I know how important it is to follow expert advice, and we didn’t have to rush, either.
"I just filled my time in with everything else that can make me better."
Translated — a lot of punishing fitness sessions with her trainer to build up her fitness level.
"I feel like I’ve improved a lot there and I feel good on the bike."
Duncan has been spending some time in Cambridge, where Kawasaki New Zealand is based. The plan is to head to Auckland this weekend and do some training on sand.
The sand tracks — there are two on the circuit this season — have been her least productive surface, so she is doing everything to make sure she is well prepared.
The opening round in Sardinia gets under way in the last weekend in March. Round two and three are in Switzerland and Spain respectively.
France returns to the circuit this season. That leg is scheduled for May.
Then there is a gap in the schedule before round five in the Netherlands (August) and round six in Turkey (September).
Duncan has not finalised her travel plans yet, but intends to head to Europe early next month.
While last season was disappointing for Duncan, she has moved past it. Her first three seasons on the circuit were characterised by a run of misfortune.
She proved to be the most resilient of competitors by bouncing back to win three consecutive titles.
"I’ve been through enough disappointments in my career to know there is no point dwelling on that sort of stuff.
"I feel like we turned the page soon after [the injury]."
Having finished the 2022 season so strongly is a source of pride.
"But in terms of momentum, it has been six months and it is pretty much like starting all over again."
