Duncan treating final round no differently

Courtney Duncan
Courtney Duncan
That elusive prize is finally within reach.

All Courtney Duncan needs to do is stay upright and keep her Kawasaki moving forward.

The 23-year-old Dunedin rider leads the Women's Motocross World Championship standings by a whopping 23 points with two races remaining.

The final round is in Turkey this weekend and Duncan could finish way back in the pack, scoop up a few points for the minor placings and take her spot at the top of the podium when the title is presented.

After three years of controversy, crashes and heartbreaking injury setbacks, there would not be a more deserved winner.

But Duncan is not planning on coasting through the final races. No, no, no.

Look for her at the front. That is where she is most comfortable. And by that first corner, Duncan prefers an unobstructed view of the track ahead.

''As far as points go, obviously I'm aware of the position I'm in,'' she said.

''But at the same time I don't want to be thinking about that. I feel like if you have that sort of mindset, that is when bad things can happen.

''I'm just going to try to approach it the same as I have every other race this season, and that is to go out there and ride to the best of my abilities.

''Wherever that puts me in the race, it puts me.

''If that is good enough to clinch the championship in the first race then great.''

If Duncan wins the first race, she will have an unassailable lead. That would be a fitting result for a rider who has been so, so dominant this year.

She has won seven of the eight races and some of them by very comfortable margins.

Duncan has not allowed herself to think ahead about what it might be like to reach the dream she has been entertaining since she was a child.

''Honestly ... there are no thoughts past the final flag. Until it is done, it won't be on my mind.

''First I need to nail qualifying, put myself in a good position to get a good start and then really nail that start.''

It is the first time the series has visited Turkey, so the track will be new to everyone.

Duncan will not be thrown - whatever the conditions. She is confident on any surface.

''I've done everything I can to put myself into a good position for this weekend.

'' I'm feeling ready for it, I'm excited for it and, most importantly, I need to enjoy this weekend and go out and embrace it.''

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