Pro Open rider Kirk Gibbs proved he will be a contender in the 2013 ASX after leading the start of Sunday’s main event. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

Motorex KTM’s Kirk Gibbs is eager to build upon the experience gained in his Pro Open debut at Darwin’s Hidden Valley where he was able to lead a number of laps in Sunday’s main event.

The weekend resulted in steady improvement from Gibbs as he and his team learned from a difficult opening stanza on Saturday caused by a rapidly-deteriorating track.

“[Saturday] was a real struggle for us,” admitted Gibbs, who finished eighth. “I made a lot mistakes because the track deteriorated a lot and our suspension wasn’t quite there. We made big changes overnight and obviously it worked out.”

The changes implemented saw Gibbs brimming with confidence come Sunday and it showed as he charged out of the gates to grab a strong holeshot.

The Motorex KTM looked comfortable out front and was maintaining the lead over his pursuers before a small mistake resulted in a fall.

“I got the start and did everything perfectly [on Sunday], but then I had a mishap trying to protect the line and it brought me unstuck,” said Gibbs.

“I landed a little wide on the downramp where Pieck had tried a move a lap earlier so I went to cover my line and tucked the front end. It ripped my left glove off and I had to ride the rest of the race like that.”

He consolidated for fourth, and leaves the Top End place a competitive fifth on points.

Gibbs focused on the lessons learned in his first 450 class outing and was hopeful of continued improvement at his home event on 12 October.

“I’ll take a lot of positives out of the weekend, and now I know I can run up front it will be a matter of putting the pieces together,” he added.

“Already we’re in a better position than we were in with the Motocross so it should be good.”