Image: Foremost Media.

Team Australia’s Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and Mitch Evans (Raceline Pirelli KTM) will make an early departure to the United States to further their preparation for next month’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at RedBud.

The KTM duo, who represent two thirds of Team Australia as they’re joined by MX2 World Championship regular Hunter Lawrence (114 Motorsport Honda), will make the journey to the US this Sunday, granting them two weeks on American soil to acquaint themselves with the climate and conditions.

“Mitch and I are heading off on Sunday with our mechanics, so we’ll get over there, build the bikes and work with Byrner,” Gibbs told MotoOnline.com.au “We’ll get set-up and do some riding in LA – it’s just easier there as its closer to the workshop. We won’t really get to ride much in the week leading up to RedBud because the truck takes three days to get there, so that’s why we’re heading over a couple of weeks early.

“I don’t think the soil is quite the same in LA, it’s a lot more loamy on the side that we’ll be racing. But, it’s still good to get over there, get used to the timezone, heat and everything like that – we’ll be able to climatise ourselves pretty well. It will definitely be a benefit going over early.”

The Motocross of Nations is scheduled for 7 October, which will see the world’s best riders converge at the popular RedBud venue in an effort to claim the prestigious Chamberlain Trophy.