KTM Motocross Racing Team rider Kirk Gibbs has confirmed that he will face the starter for this weekend’s first round of Australia’s Monster Energy MX Nationals at Broadford, Victoria.

Gibbs chipped the knuckle of his right ‘pinky’ finger after qualifying fastest for the final round of the New Zealand motocross Championships at Taupo last Saturday.

The Queensland-based national No.5 immediately withdrew from last weekend’s round, and x-rays confirmed the fracture, however a week of rest has seen the swelling subside, and the South Australian is now certain that he will not miss round one.

The news comes as a big relief for KTM fans, after team rider Ford Dale was ruled out of the opening rounds just a week earlier, having broken his arm in a practice accident.

His team manager, Rob Twyerould, was happy to report that Gibbs would ride.

“I think obviously it’s never great going in with an injury, but Kirk’s been able to keep up his physical training this week so his fitness will still be high,” said Twyerould.

“The old saying says you can’t win the championship at race one but you can lose it there, so we’ll go in and score good points there and begin building it. There’s another two weeks break before round two and that will help us, and so on and so on.

“I’m expecting good things this weekend and for him to be competitive.

“But also really like to thank the mechanics Danny, Kyle and Jordan for all work they’ve put in, getting the bikes ready for this round. We’ve been in New Zealand every second weekend for last two months and now only had a week between the final in New Zealand and MX nationals so I really appreciate everything they’ve done.

“They are as important as the riders, to give Kirk the opportunity to perform at his best, and they’ve got the bikes looking amazing this year.”

Gibb s said he was looking forward to racing.

“It’s been a pretty relaxing week for me not doing too much, some off the bike training but other than that just trying to rest my hand,” said Gibbs.

“I got another set of x-rays done when I got back from New Zealand, and I spoke to the doc about it. There is a fracture their like we thought, but it doesn’t look too bad or feel too bad and the doctor understands what position I’m in so he doesn’t really have a problem with it and RaceSafe can’t see why I shouldn’t race.

“It’ll just be the matter of dealing with a little bit of pain that I’m going to get. Obviously I still want to do well, I felt like I was in really good shape on the bike and I hope this doesn’t put a damper on things too much. I’ll just keep an open mind and keep going in there like I always do, to ride my best and be at the pointy end.”

There will be another huge Kiwi presence in the Australian nationals this season.

The MX1 class will also feature just-crowned New Zealand MX1 champion Cody Cooper (Penrite Honda) and the MX1 No.3 from New Zealand, Taupo’s Brad Groombridge (SPMX Suzuki), as well as leading Kiwi MX2 class rider and Motocross of Nations MX3 class rider Rhys Carter (Team Motul Suzuki).

In the MX2 class the Kiwis will be New Zealand MX2 champion Kayne Lamont (Husqvarna Red Bull WIL Sport BikesportNZ.com), from Mangakino, Warkworth’s Hamish Dobbyn (CMR Red Bull KTM), fresh from finishing runner-up to Lamont in New Zealand last weekend, and Takaka’s 2013 Australian Under-19 champion Hamish Harwood (CMR Red Bull KTM).

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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