Image: Jeff Crow.

KTM Motocross Racing Team will expand for the 2016 season, with new MX Nationals MX1 champion Kirk Gibbs remaining to defend the MX1 championship next year.

Gibbs will stay in Australia on board a factory 450 SX-F next year alongside Luke Styke in the new season, joined by teenager Caleb Ward in an expansion of the in-house factory program.

KTM Australia will field a factory MX2 entry for Ward riding a 250 SX-F in 2016, which marks the first time the current KTM Motocross Racing Team has run an MX2 bike since its debut in 2013.

Confirmed by team manager Rob Twyerould, Ward’s involvement builds upon the increased support provided by the official team this year, in which he claimed four overall victories on his way to fifth in the standings.

Meanwhile, following Gibbs’ guest MXGP appearance at Glen Helen this month, the structure will remain as is for the upcoming supercross series, with Gibbs and Styke in SX1 as Ward continues in his satellite role within the SX2 ranks.