Image: Jeff Crow.

Runaway Australian Motocross Championship leader Kirk Gibbs has plans of tackling a new challenge next season, looking to secure an opportunity on the 2016 MXGP World Championship grid.

The experienced KTM Motocross Racing Team rider has been in career-best form this season and currently holds a commanding 60-point lead over teammate Luke Styke in the national MX1 title chase.

After finishing second to longtime rival Matt Moss in last year’s MX Nationals and dominating the 2015 series to date, the 26-year-old has his sights set on joining Todd Waters and Dean Ferris on the world stage next season.

“Obviously the title’s the first thing, but I did sit down with Rob [Twyerould] and have a chat to him about maybe getting over and doing a GP, so it’s all in the ropes at the moment and if everything comes together then yeah, I will be over there at the end of the year once this is all finished,” Gibbs explained.

“In the position I’m in now I’m ready for a new challenge. You know, I’ve been racing here for a long time now and I think I’m ready for a new challenge. If the opportunity arises I’ll be trying to go.”

KTM’s Australian factory team manager Rob Twyerould, who played a pivotal role in launching Waters’ international career during 2013, said Gibbs also has the ability to shine in MXGP. He’s hoping that opportunity will come via the Motocross of Nations if selected for Team Australia.

“I really hope that he gets chosen for the MX des Nations and then leading up to that there’s an opportunity perhaps that he could go and do a race prior to that,” Twyerould explained. “It will give him that confidence prior to the des Nations and from those, doors open.

“If he can really be comfortable and ride to his potential, I truly believe that the world is his oyster. We’re very lucky the connection with the factory is very strong and they know the guys here are competitive, so they do look to us.”