Image: Jeff Crow.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs says it’s Matt Moss who has the weight on his shoulders entering the final two rounds of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals, insisting he has “nothing to lose” in the race for the MX1 crown.

Gibbs saw his deficit to Moss stretch from 18 to 40 points at Raymond Terrace’s eighth round of 10, requiring Gibbs to claw back all he can at Gladstone and Coolum. To claim the title he’ll have to hope for Moss to encounter difficulties of his own.

“I’m 40 points down, but it’s not over yet, and in saying that, I’ve got nothing to lose. Matt is sort of the one that has it all to lose. He’s got the number one plate, the points lead and a target on his back.

“I’m just going into the next round hoping to ride like I know I can, and hopefully come out and gain some points. Then we can take it down to Coolum, keep close, have some good battles, and keep it interesting.”

The ever-consistent Gibbs was absent from the podium at Raymond Terrace after suffering from the flu leading up to the race, also hampered by a run of ill-luck during the trio of motos while Moss charged to victory.

“I actually had the flu leading up to the round, so once I got the flu I just tried to beat it,” he added. “I didn’t really do anything that week but lay around. When I got to the race I felt okay on Saturday and then on Sunday I felt not too bad too.

“But by then I was just pretty lethargic and wasn’t my normal self. The first two races didn’t go too well and then the last race I felt fine, but had a bit of bad luck and I guess that’s just the way it went.

“Raymond Terrace had nothing to do with pressure; it just wasn’t a good weekend for me, and you can’t perform every weekend. In saying that, I would have ended up third if I didn’t have that bad last race and that’s probably the worst race meeting I’ve had all season. So no pressure, it was all on me.”