Image: Foremost Media.

After a shoulder injury at Murray Bridge crushed his title hopes, 2015 MX1 champion Kirk Gibbs has declared he’s ‘full steam ahead’ for the final five rounds of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals.

Sitting out Sunday’s fifth round in South Australia in May, the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rider returned to competition at the Manjimup 15,000 in Western Australia this month, displaying fine more as he fell just one-point shy of victory.

Positioned eighth in the championship standings, 96 points behind series leader and teammate Luke Clout, Gibbs has established a new goal of triumphing as many races as possible in the second half.

“The break came at a good time with my injury and I was able to take some time off and allow it to heal before getting back on the bike,” Gibbs explained.

“Since Manjimup, I pulled up pretty well and have been able to resume my regular program so its full steam ahead for the final five rounds with the goal to win as many races and rounds as possible.”

The MX Nationals returns to action this weekend at Gympie in Queensland following a lengthy six-week break. Gympie marks a new venue on the MX Nationals calendar.