A relatively consistent start to the 2022 Penrite ProMX Championship has seen KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs edge his way closer to the front, confirmed by a podium finish in moto two at Mackay.

Gum Valley marked Gibbs’ second national outing since returning to KTM, and the number five was able to improve on his fifth place overall from Wonthaggi thanks to a 6-3 scorecard landing him P4 for round two.

“Overall I’m reasonably satisfied with today,” Gibbs explained. “I qualified well in the Top 10 Shootout, but I struggled in that opening race and couldn’t seem to get into a groove. I ended up sixth, but it was a distant sixth.

“The second race was better for me – I got a good start and slotted into second, but made a little mistake and lost a couple of positions. It was really humid during that second race, but I was able to keep chipping away and make a pass for third with a couple of laps to go. The Mackay track was one of the better ones we’ve been to and made for decent, close racing, so all-in-all it was a good day.”

Gibbs has kept himself in title contention after the first four races of this year’s championship, currently fourth in the ProMX MX1 standings, 18 points from red plate-holder Kyle Webster.

The 2015 Australian MX1 champion will be one to watch as the series unfolds, expected to build form as the year progresses after being sidelined for a period in the pre-season due to a foot injury.