The women’s motocross world champion wondered whether she would get an opportunity to race again this year.
Covid-19 interrupted the WMX season in March. But that hiatus is set to end in Italy late next month.
The event in Turkey in early September has been cancelled, but Italy will host three race days.
The first two are in Mantova on September 27 and 30. There is a further event in early November.
After all the uncertainty, Duncan is thrilled to be heading back to the starting gate.
"I’m grateful we’re going to get back to competition. When you can’t do what you love, you definitely miss it," she said.
"Now I’ve got another opportunity to win another championship and I think that outweighs any concern [about Covid-19]."
Duncan will leave for her base in the United Kingdom in early September, where she will complete her preparations.
"That will give me a few extra weeks to add the fine touches, but everything seems to be ticking along nicely. I feel like I’m in a good position.
"I’ve had a lot of bike time and I feel like I’ve got some good speed. The sooner we can get back to racing the better."
Duncan leads the series with 90 points from two events. German rider Larissa Papenmeier is in second place on 85 points, while six-time world champion Kiara Fontanesi, of Italy, is in third place with 80 points.
Fontanesi will be in familiar surroundings, while Duncan has not raced on the track at Mantova. She was injured the last time the series visited the city in 2016.
"We’ll make it suit," she responded when asked if it was a good course for her.
"I’ve seen videos of the track and I’ll have a look at it a little bit closer to the time. But it looks good and I’m sure I’ll be able to adjust."
Duncan, who is in her fifth season, has proven she is the fastest rider on the circuit. But her luck has not alway held out.
She had a series of mishaps in her opening three seasons which conspired against her title aspirations.
But having to rebound from so many setbacks should help her in what has been a disrupted season.
"I think what I’ve gone through is going to help me in pretty much any situation as well. But this year has been a tough year.
"We started off but then came to a halt and didn’t know if we were going to return.
"We’ve had to stay sharp and ready for a return at any time. No matter how hard you try not to think about it, when you are in the lead in the championship — I’ve been holding the red plate for six months now — every single day you wake up with the pressure to deliver another championship."
