KIRK Gibbs sits second in the MX Nationals MX1 Pro class after a satisfactory performance in Round 2 at Appin, New South Wales on Sunday.
The former Mount Gambier motorcycle rider finished behind back-to-back champion Dean Ferris who again won both motos on the day.
Gibbs finished second in the first moto, before a tough second race saw him place fourth.
It was enough to hand Gibbs second overall to Ferris who now holds a 13-point lead on the championship standings.
Gibbs qualified second, behind team mate Luke Clout and had similar luck in super pole, finishing behind Brett Metcalfe.
The 29-year-old was late out of the gate in the opening moto and was forced to contest with the remainder of the field on the opening lap, all while Ferris claimed the holeshot.
Gibbs moved through the field quickly to sit fourth behind Ferris, Metcalfe and Dylan Long.
While he would have liked to be further forward and contesting for the lead, he was able to put in some consistent laps to reel in Long.
Still sitting in fourth at the eight-minute mark, Gibbs was forced to dig deeper.
The former MX Nationals champion was able to make the pass on Long mid-way through the 30-minute moto and charge for Metcalfe who had allowed a reasonable gap between himself and leader, Ferris.
Ferris greeted the chequered flag in first, while Gibbs managed to pass Metcalfe late in the moto to secure second place by the finish line jump.
Gibbs managed a better start in the second moto, but he was still trailing behind Ferris.
However, Ferris was also late out of the gate – to his standards – and Clout stepped up to the plate to gain the early lead.
Gibbs was learning from Ferris, watching his line to see where he can improve.
Neither Ferris or Gibbs made a move on Clout who still held the lead before the race was red flagged.
Privateer rider Lachie Davis – who was contesting a top 10 position – went down and suffered concussion.
The medical team was unable to move him quickly and as a result the race was red flagged.
After some time, riders returned for Part 2 of moto two, which was a staggered start – something new for the MX Nationals.
The race length was shortened to 22 minutes, plus one lap and Gibbs was eager to find his feet and claim his first win of the 2018 season.
However, not all went to plan.
Clout was able to pull a gap on Ferris, but the latter did the same to Gibbs.
However, Gibbs went down early in the restart and was in the thick of the field.
Time was on Gibbs’ side and he was able to regroup and power from seventh up to fifth in a short time, but still had mountains work to do.
He gained another position after closing the door on Metcalfe late in the race and again reeled in Long late in the moto, while Ferris also made the pass on Clout to take the lead.
Ferris powered to his second overall victory, from as many rounds, while Clout took second and Long third.
It was a nail-biting finish, with Gibbs finishing just 0.015 of a second behind Long in fourth.
Gibbs made his frustration known on social media.
“I went 2-4, for second overall,” he posted.
“I had a little lay down in second moto, a bit frustrated with myself, but when I do not win, I learn.”
Gibbs will now turn his focus to Round 3 and 4, which will take place in Wonthaggi, Victoria on May 19 and 20.
