KTM Australia press release:

KTM Motocross Racing Team rider Kirk Gibbs continues to establish himself as one of the men to beat in this year’s closely-fought MX Nationals championship, following the weekend’s second round at Appin.

Despite a couple of setbacks, the 2015 MX1 champion left the venue just two points away from the series lead after finishing the day fourth behind Dean Ferris, Brett Metcalfe and Todd Waters, following 2, 4 moto finishes.

Despite a serious late-season injury which wrecked his 2016 pre-season buildup, Gibbs has already proven himself one of the pace-setters across the two rounds thus far.

The Queensland-based South Australian qualified second fastest at Appin before finding the lead in both motos yesterday, only to have incident and accident intervene.

His team mate, nineteen-year-old Queenslander Jesse Dobson limped into the round with an injury to his leg and glute, and despite being by his own admission only at 60% capacity, attempted to glean points from the round.

After impressively qualifying 11th fastest, Dobson, without his usual level of control, stepped off his factory KTM 450 SX-F in the first moto, and the team decided he was better saved for another day, withdrawing Dobson from the second.

Kyle Blunden, KTM Motocross Team Manager – “It’s a funny feeling, we made a couple of mistakes here so it feels like a bit of a downer, but we’re definitely walking away with some really solid moto points. Caleb was able to extend his lead in the championship, and Kirk is just two points away in MX1. Caleb rode the wheels off his bike today, and for someone who is renowned to be a sandman and not really good on the hardpack and ruts, he’s definitely been able to silence that little bit of criticism. Unfortunately Jesse came into the weekend with an injury, he seems to have corked his leg and the top of his hamstring, and just couldn’t hold on in the first moto, and we had to make a call as to whether it was wise for him to attempt the second. We decided it was smarter not to.”

Kirk Gibbs (KTM 450 SX-F) – “For a day that was full of mistakes it wasn’t too bad but I expect a lot better. I had a little crash on my Go Pro Super Pole lap so I missed an opportunity for points there. First Moto I felt like I should have won the race, but Ferris decided to jump on me on the last lap and I have the tyre mark on my back and side to prove it. Luckily I didn’t go down and was still able to get second. Second Moto I got myself into a good position early in third, but made two really big mistakes and let Todd past and Ferris got around me with two laps to go. Frustrating from my end, but I’m still leaving healthy and right within range of the championship lead.”

Jesse Dobson (KTM 450 SX-F) – “I’ve got a pain in the arse. I had a big crash this week and laid in bed a few days and rested, but something’s out somewhere. I was in pain just walking before I even got to the race. As soon as I did my first practice lap I knew it was a case of just trying to get through the weekend – I had no leg strength and can’t hold my leg up in the ruts. I tried my best today and that’s all I could do – it’s disappointing but we live to fight another day and it’s all part of the process. We’ll overcome it and come out stronger.”

MX1 Championship Points after round 2:
1. Dean Ferris 127, 2. Kirk Gibbs 125, 3. Todd Waters 119, 4. Matt Moss 117, 5. Brett Metcalfe 115, 6. Kade Mosig 104, 7. Daniel Reardon 99, 8. Dylan Long 92, 9. Jay Wilson 86, 10. Kurt Wightman 69

In MX2 racing, KTM Motocross Racing Team rider Caleb Ward has stretched his lead in the MX2 championship out to 11 points over Husqvarna’s Nathan Crawford after a 1, 3 day gave him the win at Appin. Ward convincingly won the first moto and looked on track to make it a second in race two, but freakishly, encountered a collapsed rut while heavily committed to a corner, and suffered a tumble which cost him several places. The depth of the second tier class continues to push its competitors to strive harder, and KTM Factory Support rider Jayden Rykers (Davey Motorsport) was on track for his first podium of the championship when he jumped off the track to avoid a hay bale and was penalised 10 seconds.
The adjudication dropped him to ninth in the moto, fifth on the day, and from a potential third to eighth in the MX2 championship, but the hungry West Australian knows it is only early days, and is far from deterred.

Caleb Ward (KTM 250 SX-F) – “I had a pretty good day. First one I started in fifth or sixth and made my way back through the pack slowly and took my time. I ended up passing into the lead with about eight minutes to go and just sort of managed the race. Then in Moto two I came out in second or third, got up behind Mossy and we were going pretty fast at the front for a few laps, then I managed to pass him on lap three or four or something and was in cruise mode doing my own thing when I came around the corner and a rut had collapsed in on itself. I was fully leaned and committed, and hit this massive chunk of dry dirt and my front deflected off and I ended up on the ground. I got back up and salvaged some points and still got enough for the overall so I was pretty happy with that.”

Jayden Rykers (KTM 250 SX) – “I went (originally) 3,5 which would have given me my first podium, but we got a penalty for jumping off the track to avoid a hay bale, so unfortunately I got put back to ninth with a ten-second penalty. Unfortunate, but I felt pretty good. The first one was good, myself, Ward and Moss were in the top three and I felt quite comfortable with my speed. I’m sitting eighth in the championship now but third place is only six points ahead of me, so third is where I would have been if I never got docked for points. I’ll cop it on the chin and show them what we’re made of next round. No point in getting angry about it.”

MX2 Championship Points after round 2:
1. Caleb Ward 126, 2. Nathan Crawford 115, 3. Jake Moss 107, 4. Luke Arbon 106, 5. Kale Makeham 104, 6. Jed Beaton 102, 7. Wilson Todd 102, 8. Jayden Rykers 101 9. Wade Hunter 84, 10. Hamish Harwood 81

In the MXD class, Raceline Pirelli KTM Motocross Racing Team development rider Wade Kirkland climbed to third place in the Under 19’s championship with fourth on the day, courtesy of 7, 3 finishes aboard his KTM 250 SX. Seventeen-year-old Cooper Pozniak (KTM Newcastle) was fifth overall at Appin, posting 5, 5 results on his KTM 250 SX-F to maintain his outstanding second place in the championship.

Wade Kirkland (KTM 250 SX-F) – “I’m really happy, fourth in both rounds is pretty consistent. I’m happy with where I’m sitting. I got pushed wide in the first Moto and had to come back from 20th or something, but in the second I went inside a bit more and held my line and came out with the holeshot. My bike is awesome, the mechanics and that are setting it up real good for me.”

Cooper Pozniak (KTM 250 SX-F) – “I’m happy with two fifths for the day. I didn’t get the starts that I wanted to but I’m really happy that I was able to stay consistent. In the first Moto I had my Vortex in the wrong mapping, so I was bogging the bike a little bit. But other than that she was awesome.”

MXD Championship Points after round 2:
1. Connor Tierney 134, 2. Cooper Pozniak 112, 3. Wade Kirkland 111, 4. Kaleb Barham 107, 5. Jordan Hill 103, 6. Zak Small 102, 7. Mitchell Evans 90, 8. Lochie Latimer 84, 9. Justin Hart 74, 10. Luke Abela 70

In the Rising Star Rookie 125cc class, KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team rider and former world junior champion Caleb Grothues dominated proceedings on his KTM 125SX, posting a pair of victories to take overall honours from Cody Dyce and Cal Norton.

Rising Star Rookie class Points:
1. Caleb Grothues 70, 2. Cody Dyce 62, 3. Callum Norton 62, 4. Riley Dukes 56, 5. Brodie Ellis 49

For more information on KTM Motorcycles, visit www.ktm.com.au or www.facebook.com/KTMAustralia