Image: MXN.

Former Motul MX Nationals premier class champion Kirk Gibbs has confirmed a motocross-only contract for the 2017 season in a bid to regain the crown he won in 2015.

Entering the Australian motocross season off the back of a serious injury for the second year in a row, the Queensland-based MX1 front-runner admits that returning to his preferred environment is vital for his progress.

“I love that environment and it’s definitely easier for me,” Gibbs told MotoOnline.com.au. “It’d be different if I had to change brands or do something else, that’d make it a lot more difficult.

“Everything’s good, I just have to worry about myself and get that at 100 percent to make sure I’m fit enough to go into round one and do battle with Todd [Waters], Dean [Ferris] and all of the other boys that are stepping up including a few internationals.”

Missing out a successful premier class title defence by six points at the final round in 2016, Gibbs is using the disappointing result to further fuel the fire heading into the upcoming season as a motocross-only rider. Defending champion Ferris is also on an outdoor deal at CDR Yamaha.

“Obviously I lost the title and it’s really frustrating, but it only motivates me more for this year,” Gibbs continued. “I’m motocross-only this year, so I’ll be putting everything into this motocross series.”

Missing out on a Motocross of Nations debut in 2016 due to injury, Gibbs also revealed that earning a spot on the 2017 Australian squad is another priority for the year.

“For sure to get back on the MXoN team is a huge goal for me as well,” he added. “It’ll be all or nothing and hopefully things turn out better than they did last year.”

KTM is yet to officially announce Gibbs re-signing for this season, however it’s tipped that he will return alongside Luke Styke for another term within the factory organisation.