Image: Andy McGechan / BikesportNZ.com.

A final moto victory at the Pukekohe round of the New Zealand Motocross Championship has KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs confident of his form ahead of the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

Gibbs will enter his second year in MX1 for the factory KTM team alongside Ford Dale in 2014, steadily gaining momentum in New Zealand despite an inconsistent season to date.

Last weekend at Pukekohe’s penultimate round Gibbs crashed out of the restarted opening moto, however second in moto two and a breakthrough win in moto three came as a clear confidence boost on Sunday.

“There was a bit of carnage everywhere today,” Gibbs recalled. “Race one I was pushing hard over a table top into a gully when I tucked it on the up ramp and cartwheeled the bike.

“I tried a different technique for the second start, but got wheelspin and had to fight my way back to second. I knew my speed was pretty good and I feel like I’m just inching closer every time I get on a bike.

“In race three when Ford handed me the lead I thought that if I held my lines I could hold Cooper off. In the last couple of laps I hit them really good and gapped Coops, which was really good for my confidence and a good note to end the day on.

“I’m looking forward to being fit and ready for the Nats so I can take it to everyone and show them that racing over here helps.”

After sealing fifth overall for the weekend, Gibbs is now fourth in the standings, 11 points shy of a podium placing with one round remaining.