Kirk Gibbs staying at KTM for 2015
KTM Australia has confirmed that KTM Motocross Racing Team rider and now national motocross number two Kirk Gibbs has signed to remain with the team through season 2015.
A little over 16 months since his MX nationals premier class debut of 13th and 11th place finishes, the highly professional South Australian has progressed to be one of the fittest, fastest, and most consistent pro racers in Australia.
After climbing into a national ranking of fifth on the back half of his rookie season, Gibbs used this year’s MX national championship to establish himself as a top contender in Australian motocross, with numerous race wins, three overall round wins and the title of 2014 Vice Champion to his credit.
With his brutish combination of pure fitness and bullish determination, Gibbs this year developed a reputation as one rider you don’t want stalking you, with a penchant for incessant, late-moto pursuits, regardless of how long the moto, or how energy-sapping the track surface.
Gibbs’ contract with KTM incorporates all 2015 motocross and supercross commitments, with the team also keen to utilise the KTM factory’s various means to involve Gibbs in Grand Prix-level international racing.
Rob Twyerould – Team Manager: “My vision for Kirk always was a long-term vision. He’s just got stronger and stronger each year, and after analysing his performance this year, I’m sure he’s going to be an absolute contender for the title next year. He is one of the fittest, and most determined guys out there, and not only that, he is just a fantastic guy that works in really well with the group that we have on the team. I think we all enjoy working together, and that’s a really big thing, that harmony, and him and his whole family fit into the program very, very well. His mum and dad come to all the races, and help us set up and pack up. Their efforts were brilliant this year, and we look forward to them being involved next year as well.
We’d like to try to give him the opportunity to have a race overseas, which he missed out on this year because it just didn’t fit in the schedule. But like usual we’ll kick off in New Zealand, and do the Aussie motocross and Supercross, and see if we can fit in a GP visit for him.”
Kirk Gibbs “This means a lot to me. Since I joined the KTM team, I’ve had nothing but such a good time. I really enjoy going to races, and there was a phase there before KTM, where I didn’t enjoy it that much. It started off with Todd as my teammate, and then this year Ford, two great guys that I really like. We’ll see what happens next year, teammate-wise, but it’s awesome to be a part of the KTM team again next year. I definitely think ours is the best thing out there in the pit, and I’m really excited to be a part of it again for another year.”
