Motorex KTM’s MX1 rookie Kirk Gibbs is continuing to make solid progress aboard the KTM 450 SX-F, breaking through for a commendable sixth outright at round three of the Monster Energy MX Nationals at Wonthaggi last weekend.

The South Australian has been working hard between events to improve pace and race fitness, and is beginning to show his true potential in the class after finishing 13th at the first two rounds.

Zeroing in on his goal of a Super Pole start, Gibbs put together a solid first moto, recovering from a bout of arm pump at the mid-point.

“I qualified alright today, I really want to get into the Super Pole and I’m getting pretty close – we’ll keep at it,” said Gibbs.

“The first race I was working towards a fourth or fifth and I felt good but I got some arm pump, faded back to ninth, then found my feet in the last couple of laps and worked my way back to seventh.”

He capped off the weekend with another good ride in the second moto, and was pleased to be battling amongst the class heavyweights in just his third MX1 outing.

“The second moto I thought I rode well; I was ninth off the start and I struggled with the intensity early, but once it settled I moved forward pretty well,” said Gibbs.

“I got by [Billy] Mackenzie in a pretty aggressive pass, then Lawson [Bopping] who was riding really well took me and I passed [Cody] Cooper – not sure what happened to him.

“Toward the end I had Jay [Marmont] on my back, but I held my own. So that wasn’t too bad, but I’ve got to keep moving forward.”

“I’m lucky there’s not a great deal of pressure on me with Todd [Waters] doing really well but it’s a really big learning year for me, I knew if I keep at it and stay fit and healthy, I’ll be chasing podiums.”

Team manager Rob Twyerould felt the top 10 finish would spur Gibbs on as the series continued.

“He just needs to work on his intensity in that first two or three sprint laps at the start but that will come,” said Twyerould. “He’s cracked the top 10 now and the good thing is there’s a lot of points on offer.”

Following Wonthaggi, Gibbs moved up to ninth on the MX1 class ladder with 126 points to his name.