News 31 Aug 2015

KTM rewards Gibbs with Glen Helen MXGP entry

However he's near certain to defend national MX1 title next year.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Image: Jeff Crow.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs has confirmed he will head to the US next month for Glen Helen’s final round of the 2015 MXGP World Championship on 19-20 September.

Gibbs missed out on selection in Team Australia for the upcoming Motocross of Nations in France, however he will still realise his dream of racing internationally with a surprise start at the US GP.

The ride comes as a reward of sorts for Gibbs delivering a dominant performance as the 2015 MX Nationals MX1 champion; KTM’s first since Craig Anderson claimed the premier class title in 2002.

“I’m 100 percent confirmed for Glen Helen,” Gibbs told MotoOnline.com.au post-race. “I’m going, I found out like two days ago. Once I didn’t get the des Nations gig we tried really hard to get over there and I’m really looking forward to it.

“We’re getting a bike and support from KTM and I’m going to be pitted out of the Troy Lee Designs team’s truck. I’m really looking forward to getting that overseas experience and obviously witness how fast those guys are over there.

“Hopefully just go there and put in some good rides, you know? I’m coming back to 100 percent now and really confident to go in there. I’m going to put in a couple of weeks hard training and hopefully get some good results.”

Gibbs has conceded that hill will almost certainly be back in Australia to defend his number one plate in 2016, but aims to use his Glen Helen appearance to further establish himself on the world championship radar.

“For now I don’t think the international thing’s going to work out,” Gibbs added. “Obviously I need to get noticed, so this Glen Helen thing’s a good step in the right direction, but they probably wouldn’t know too much about me just yet.

“Hopefully this is a big step and hopefully I can do well and get noticed, for maybe in the years to come. I think next year I will be back here to defend this title.”

The return of Gibbs to KTM Australia’s factory team will likely see the team remain as is for next year alongside Luke Styke, with speculation also circulating at Coolum on Sunday that teenage talent Caleb Ward could be drafted into the team fulltime in the MX2 ranks.

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