KTM Australia press release:

Just two days out from the first round of the 2015 MX Nationals series at Horsham, KTM Motocross Racing Team rider Kirk Gibbs is on the verge of coming full circle with his journey on KTM Australia’s premier motocross team.

Just two years ago he embarked upon his rookie season in the big league, going almost unnoticed as his then teammate Todd Waters laid waste to Australia’s best riders in the opening three rounds of the series. But by the end of 2013 he had his first round win, and the national number 5.

A year later he had evolved into a race-winner, super-consistent podium finisher, and a relentless, terminator-style finisher who you most definitely didn’t want on your six in the final 10 minutes of a race.

Now coming off his first injury-free off-season and an excellent build-up in New Zealand where he made history by becoming the first international rider in 25 years to win the Woodville Grand Prix, Gibbs will start the season as one of the firm favourites for the MX Nationals title.

The Queensland-based South Australian will have to look no further than the end of the KTM awning for his first rival however, with 2013 MX2 Motocross and Supercross National Champion Luke Styke making the jump to MX1.

After a 2014 spent in the MX2 World Championships and a pre-season NZ tour that featured numerous demonstrations of his withering turn of speed on the KTM 450 SX-F, Styke is intent on skipping the pleasantries of a rookie year, and fast forwarding straight to the championship contention phase.

Rob Twyerould, KTM Motocross Racing Team Manager – “Can I start by saying that with four rounds in New Zealand and then just two weeks to get ready for the nationals our guys in the workshop – Kyle, Jordan, Apro and even Johnny with the spares – have put in a huge effort and I really appreciate it.We’re really looking forward to Sunday; I think with the preparation that our riders have already got under their belts, they will be in a terrific position to make a dent in the championship. Luke has recovered completely from his eye injury in New Zealand and both the boys are ready. The first round is always exciting because you have no idea where everyone is going to fit in. You have your own aspirations, but at the end of the day you know whether you’re the ones walking away with a smile on your face, or whether you’re the ones going back to the drawing board.I think we are ready. I know we’re ready.”

Kirk Gibbs – “This is a very exciting championship for me, but really it’s just the same business as always. I’ve had a great pre-season, and I’m in the best spot I’ve been for a long time, so I’m excited to see how it will turn out.
Obviously 2013 was my rookie year and I didn’t know what to expect, then last year I started off pretty well and ended up really well and I was even able to fight for the championship. This year I’ve got a good base under me, so I’m confident, and I feel like if I can get some good starts I can definitely finish at the front.”

Luke Styke – “The eye issue was all behind me pretty quickly, it was blurry for couple of days but then it was fine. The New Zealand build up was great; there were a couple of little things that didn’t go my way, but I feel like when everything was on I was riding good. I feel like I’m in a good position to fight for the lead on the weekend, I’ve just got to get myself into good positions on the first lap, and ride my own race. I feel like I’m old enough to not need a rookie year – the bikes are pretty much all the same, I just had to change a few little things and I have a team with the resources to set the bike up how I needed it and I’ve put the hard work in. Everyone’s going to be saying that they want to win, but I feel like I’m in the right position to do so.”

For more information on KTM Motorcycles, visit www.ktm.com.au or www.facebook.com/KTMAustralia.