KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs was able to qualifying fastest in the Top 10 Shootout after making a strong start to round three of ProMX at Wodonga, but misfortune would cost him of a stronger overall result this weekend.
Gibbs and his KTM 450 SX-F finished the day in ninth overall at the first hard-pack round of the series at the Victorian venue, although he still remains fifth in the MX1 championship standings.
The 33-year-old’s day started on the perfect note by lodging the fastest time in qualifying, giving him confidence heading into the day’s mixed moto format.
In the opening MX1 moto, Gibbs got off to a great start, but fell several corners into the opening lap and dropped to the back of the field. Refusing to give up, the 2015 champion went to work on the rest of the field and charged his way back to an impressive seventh position.
In the first of the two back-to-back races this afternoon, Gibbs jumped off the gate into third, before a small error at the midway point saw him drop a position. However, in the closing stages he was able to capitalise for position to reclaim P3 in part one of the moto.
The second part started in similar fashion, with Gibbs launching into third through the first turn, before a minor off-track excursion halfway through the race saw metres of bunting get wrapped in his rear wheel, effectively ending his day altogether and being P9 overall.
The fourth round of the 2022 Australian ProMX Championship will be held at Gillman, South Australia, on 29 May.
Kirk Gibbs: “It was a frustrating day, really. There were a lot of positives to take out of Wodonga, but two small mistakes led to big consequences for me. We’ve made some big improvements on the bike and suspension since Mackay three weeks ago and it’s made me feel more confident to push the bike hard on the track. The circuit was rough and technical, but I was happy with my speed and ability to come through traffic – it’s just a shame that a couple of errors put a dampener on what would’ve otherwise been a very positive day for us. We’ve got to ride the lows and take the positives, but we’re only going to get better from here on out.”
2022 Australian ProMX Championship – Wodonga, VIC.
MX1 round results:
1. Dean Ferris (Honda)
2. Todd Waters (Husqvarna)
3. Aaron Tanti (Yamaha)
4. Brett Metcalfe (KTM)
5. Hayden Mellross (GASGAS)
9. Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team)
MX1 championship standings:
1. Todd Waters (Husqvarna) 118
2. Aaron Tanti (Yamaha) 117
3. Dean Ferris (Honda) 107
4. Brett Metcalfe (KTM) 103
5. Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team) 90
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