Image: Jeff Crow.

South Australian favourite Kirk Gibbs expects to challenge for victory when the Monster Energy MX Nationals reach Murray Bridge on Sunday, points in the title race becoming increasingly important during the mid-stages of 2014.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Gibbs is currently second in the MX1 standings 22 points in arrears of defending champion Matt Moss, but enters SA with a wave of confidence after winning a moto and tying for the overall during round three at Wonthaggi.

Gibbs is the lone rider alongside Moss to podium at all three rounds to date this year, which will play a vital factor entering his home round and just weeks out from the annual mid-season break.

“There are a handful of us guys who can win a race at any time, as well as a couple of others who are going to get better through the season and start challenging us towards the end,” Gibbs said.

“I think if I get good starts I can challenge for race wins on any track so I hope to get up the pointy end in the early stages at Murray Bridge. I’m trying to be as consistent as I can, and just take race wins when I can get myself in a position to fight for them.”

Last season at Murray Bridge in his first premier class appearance at the venue, Gibbs finished a lowly 13th overall after a first turn crash in moto one demoted him to 20th. He rebounded to fourth in the second moto.