FORMER Mount Gambier motocross rider Kirk Gibbs has wrapped up the 2019 New Zealand Motocross MX1 Championships in second place.
Gibbs went into the series with hopes to defend his 2018 title, but after 12 motos over four rounds of action-packed racing, New Zealander Cody Cooper took out the championship by a narrow six points.
The two riders traded blows throughout the series and in a fitting end, it all came down to the final race.
Heading into the last round, Gibbs trailed Cooper by three points and after the first two races at Taupo, they had a win each.
That left the margin at just three points before the final showdown, to set up a winner-take-all championship finish.
Despite a strong start from Gibbs which put him in front, Cooper managed to pass and hold on for a strong 10-second win, taking with it the championship honours.
Had Gibbs won that race, he would have tied up the points and claimed the series on a count-back.
However, Gibbs remains proud of his accomplishment and said he feels good on the new bike, after signing on with CDR Yamaha late last year.
“It was a good fight for the championship,” he said.
“It came down to the last race and I put everything into it.
“The first moto I did not get the greatest start, but I felt fast.
“I caught him (Cooper) and then made a little mistake with two laps to go and he won the first race.
“That put me in a position where I really had to win the next race otherwise it was going to blow out a bit too far.”
He said to win the second moto was good, but a slip up in the final race potentially cost him the championship.
“I got a really good start and got out front early,” he said.
“I tried to push really hard and made a few mistakes and nearly had a couple of crashes.
“It made me ride a little bit tighter than I probably should have.
“I did not really ride that well and (Cooper) was riding really well.”
Gibbs still views the series as a success, as it provided valuable time on his new bike in preparation for the Australian Motocross Championship which kicks off this weekend.
“The championship was really good,” Gibbs said.
“The realistic goal to start with was to just go over there and get comfortable with the new bike and get some races under my belt.
“I had been on a KTM for a long time so it was good to go over there and do some races on the Yamaha.”
Gibbs returned to Australia throughout the New Zealand series for testing with his CDR team, before taking the gear back over to test in race conditions.
He said the relationship between CDR and the Josh Coppins Racing team he rode for in New Zealand was good and the opportunity to take his bike over there to compete has helped in preparation for the Australian series.
“I do not think I could be any more ready for round one this weekend,” Gibbs said.
“My bike is really good at the moment and I feel fit and healthy with no injuries.
“The team I ride for at CDR is amazing and they definitely know how to win races.
“It has been a smooth transition and I am really happy with how the team rolls.”
Gibbs and former KTM teammate Luke Clout have both made the shift to Yamaha for this season, taking the places of Dean Ferris and Dylan Long.
While Long will ride a Kawasaki this year, Ferris – who won the last three Australian titles – will try his luck in the United States and as a result the competition will open up for a new champion in 2019.
“He (Ferris) has obviously been a dominant force the last few years,” Gibbs said.
“With him moving out I have been able to step over to that role and have a really good set up and team behind me.
“It is definitely going to open the championship up, but hopefully I can be that guy to beat this year.”
Round one will be held at Appin in New South Wales this Sunday, with rain expected.
Last season Gibbs finished second overall at the venue and he hopes to be in similar form for the season opener.
“I normally ride really well there and I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“The track is hard to pass on so it will come down to starts.
“I just have to put myself in good positions and go out and do my best.”
He said the fresh team has “recharged the batteries” and is raring to kick off the season.
“Everything is really good at the moment and I feel comfortable,” he said.
“I know there will be some guys out there who will be hungry and want to win as well.
“But at the moment everything is feeling good.
“As long as we can keep that ball rolling, it is game on.”
