Motorex KTM team manager Rob Twyerould believes an in-form Kirk Gibbs could surprise in his debut Pro Open Australian Supercross Championsip (ASX) campaign after an impressive showing in pre-season testing.

Gibbs was drafted into the 450cc ranks for the 2013 season and impressed with a strong fifth outright at the conclusion of the 10-round Monster Energy MX Nationals.

But it’s in Supercross trim that Twyerould feels Gibbs could excel after seeing his young charge in action in recent testing.

“Kirk [has been] in Sydney and started Supercross training and testing,” said Twyerould. “He looks really, really good on the Supercross track and it won’t surprise me what he does.

“He missed the Supercross season last year because of his huge crash at Coolum but he’ll be a dark horse this year I think.”

Gibbs’ first test will come in just over a week’s time when the opening rounds of the 2013 ASX play out on what is touted as the largest Supercross track created in Australia at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway from 14-15 September.