Kirk Gibbs recovered from an early crash to claim the 2013 ‘King of the Cross’ title in Western Australia. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Motorex KTM MX1 contender Kirk Gibbs is the 2013 ‘King of the Cross’ after recovering from an early crash to dominate proceedings at the iconic West Australian event.

Gibbs and teammate Todd Waters joined a number of fancied contenders to take on the challenge, which was fought out over five motos.

The pairing made a good start but found themselves tangled up into the first turn of the opening stanza.

“In that first race I drifted out wide at the first turn, got on the throttle early and shot back inside, straight into Todd who was coming up the inside and we both went down,” explained Gibbs.

“It was my fault and I take full responsibility. I got my leg caught in the back wheel but eventually got going and came eighth in that.”

Gibbs re-focused and was able to put together solid performances to take each of the remaining moto wins and claim the overall title.

“In the next four I got a couple of holeshots, and had to pass Jake [Moss] in another couple, and ended up winning the overall,” he added.

Jake Moss claimed second overall, with Cody Mackie a solid third. Waters opted out of the running after a crash in race three left him nursing a sore shoulder.

Defending ‘King of the Cross’ Jay Marmont finished 17th overall after the mechanical issue dropped him out of the running.