A CONSISTENT weekend saw former Mount Gambier resident Kirk Gibbs power his way to second overall in the prestigious 2018 Mountain Man Motocross event at the Sunshine Coast Motorcycle Club in Queensland.
Gibbs has competed in the opening two rounds of the New Zealand Motocross Championship and was expected to be contesting the third round on the weekend.
However, the event was called off due to the weather conditions, which gave the 29-year-old factory KTM rider a chance to defend his 2017 Mountain Man title in Australia.
It was never going to be an easy feat, with back-to-back MX1 National champion Dean Ferris lining up at the gate, along with previous Mountain Man Motocross winner Kade Mosig also aiming for victory.
After a long flight back to Australia, Gibbs powered his KTM 450 SX-F to qualify fourth.
He was less than a second off the fastest qualifier Nathan Crawford.
Ferris and Caleb Ward had also scraped through with faster lap times than the former South Australian.
With race one fast approaching, Gibbs picked a good gate, which paid off with his start, allowing him to hole-shot third.
A battle with Mosig in the early stages of the race allowed Ferris – who powered out of the gate to claim the holeshot – some breathing space.
Gibbs found great lines throughout the six-lap moto and had the fastest lap time, but struggled to reel in Ferris, who crossed the finish line five seconds ahead.
Still in contention for the overall victory, it was crucial Gibbs remain on Ferris’ rear wheel in the early stages of race two to be in with a chance at winning.
However, not all went to plan.
Gibbs was seventh out of the gate and while he was able to move his way up to fourth, the gap was too large between the number five motorcycle and the leaders.
On the other hand, Ferris was able to keep his flawless record in tact, passing Mitch Evans late in the moto to greet the chequered flag in first position.
The back-to-back national champion took the win and was followed by Mosig, Evans and Gibbs.
The overall victory looked out of sight for Gibbs, but that did not stop the KTM rider from proving his worth.
Gibbs was third out of the gate and made his way around Mosig mid-way through to moto to move into second position.
Ferris was again out front and despite a late charge from Gibbs, continued his unbeaten record, holding a five second lead over the former Mount Gambier rider at the finish line.
In the fourth and final race of the day, Ferris was again unstoppable.
He led the 18-lap moto from start to finish and passed up to seventh place in a 37-rider field.
Gibbs once again hole-shotted third, but made his way around Ward on lap two with the hope to reel in Ferris.
However, Ferris powered his way to his fourth win – from as many races – to claim the Mountain Man Motocross title for 2018.
Gibbs was 32 seconds behind by the chequered flag, claiming second, ahead of Evans.
After a satisfactory second overall, Gibbs will now gear up for the re-scheduled round of the New Zealand Motocross Championship this Saturday at Hawkes Bay Track.
