FORMER Mount Gambier motocross rider Kirk Gibbs has had a strong start to his New Zealand Motocross Championships MX1 title defence, sitting in second place after the first of four rounds.
It was also a fruitful weekend for the Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team, with its riders on all three steps of the podium at the round’s end.
Gibbs has kicked off the new era to his career in a positive manner, after he signed with CDR Yamaha at the end of last year.
The blue bike served him well in the recent championship opener in Taranaki, as Gibbs finished with a first and two seconds in the three races.
That sees him trail New Zealand rider and Altherm JCR Yamaha teammate Cody Cooper by just three points heading into round two.
Little separated the top three riders for the round, with teammate Kayne Lamont also on the pace to finish third in all three races.
The trio was a cut above, leading the pack to fight it out for the podium positions.
Gibbs was first to pass the chequered flag in race one, with Cooper second and Lamont in third.
The next two races saw Cooper bounce back to win both, while Gibbs settled for runner-up both times.
In the last start of the day Gibbs got sideways out of the gate and dropped the bike, putting him dead last.
However, he fought back through the pack and finished in second, in what he described as the best he had ridden all day.
Heading into round two this Sunday, Gibbs sits in prime position to continue his chase for back-to-back New Zealand titles.
The next round will be in Rotorua, with the track a happy hunting ground for Gibbs, who won the corresponding event there last season.
NEW ZEALAND MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS
CALENDAR
Round 2: Sunday, February 17, Rotorua.
Round 3: Sunday, February 24, Pukekohe.
Round 4: Sunday, March 10, Taupo.
