AFTER a stellar year aboard the factory KTM 450 SX-F, former Mount Gambier motocross rider and current professional Kirk Gibbs has chosen to stick with the motorcycle brand.
Gibbs had an impressive 2017 season, which saw him finish runner-up in the MX Nationals MX1 450 Pro championship and a sixth place finish as part of Team Australia in the Open Class in the 2017 Motocross of Nations in Great Britain.
With the contract signed, Gibbs is entering his sixth straight year with KTM.
The 28-year-old grew up riding at the local McNamara Park motocross track in Mount Gambier before moving to Queensland.
He has finished runner-up to Dean Ferris in both 2016 and 2017, but claimed the MX Nationals MX1 championship title in 2015.
Gibbs hopes to again contend for top position on the podium after Ferris’ dominant season this year.
Ferris lost just one overall for 2017 – to Gibbs in Shepparton – but powered his way around the tracks to cross the chequered flag first in every other event.
A broken femur hindered Gibbs’ preparation for the nationals last season.
The injury meant Gibbs was offered a motocross-only deal for 2017, which kept him from entering the Australian Supercross Series.
As a result the motocross racer is fighting fit, well rested and more than ready to jump back into competitive racing.
With the motocross series in Australia still four months away, Gibbs is jetting over to New Zealand for the Woodville Grand Prix motocross event in Palmerston North on Saturday, January 27 and
Sunday, January 28 for some additional preparation.
He will then compete in the New Zealand Motocross Championship, which kicks off at Taranaki Motorcycle Club on February 5.
The four-round championship then heads to Rotorua Motorcycle Club on February 25, before going to Hawkes Bay Motorcycle Club on March 11 and finishing up at Taupo Motorcycle Club on March 24.
Gibbs will head over to New Zealand with new factory racing partner Luke Clout.
Clout was a rookie this year on a Honda CRF 450 and finished eighth, but has made the move to KTM.
The New Zealand championship will see both Gibbs and Clout prepared for the 10-round Australian motocross series, which kicks off in April next year.
With the right team behind him and the determination to go all the way it is no doubt Gibbs will test all contenders for the national championship in 2018.
