Image: Foremost Media.

KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs has undergone surgery on the thumb injury sustained from a heavy impact while leading the first moto at round five of Penrite ProMX in Maitland.

Gibbs – who was the fastest qualifier on the day – overcooked a jump which resulted in a damaging smash into the face of the next one, severely ripping his UCL.

“I had really big tear of the UCL, it was fully off the bone,” Gibbs said to MotoOnline. “It required surgery, so Wednesday straight after Maitland I underwent surgery. Went straight in, had that surgery, just on the mend now.

“It is what it is, it’s very unfortunate, I was feeling good that day but it is a part of motorsport and I’m on the road to recovery and feeling pretty good. Next Tuesday I’ll get out of my splint and start getting better, and hopefully be on the line for Coffs [Harbour].”

The former national champion has just over two weeks to recover before 2022 ProMX resumes at Coffs Harbour on 24 July. He finished 11th overall at round five and is fifth in the 2022 ProMX standings.