This weekend SD3 Husqvarna’s Luke Arbon and KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs will carry a home round advantage, when the fourth round of the Motul MX Nationals is held in Murray Bridge, South Australia on May 22.
With only 11 points separating Arbon from the Motul MX2 Championship lead, and a single point dividing Gibbs and Thor MX1 series points leader Dean Ferris, every race will count on Sunday, and both the locals will have even more reason to perform, with a home crowd, as well as family and friends to cheer them on.
For SD3 Husqvarna’s Arbon, round four marks a rare opportunity for the South Australian to sleep in his own bed ahead of a round of the MX Nationals, and today shared that with an impressive track record at the venue that he’ll be looking for that top step this weekend.
“I’m feeling good ahead of this weekend, the season has been going well and I’m really looking forward to Murray Bridge. The last two years there I’ve finished on the podium and it’s been the turning point in my championship, so hopefully this weekend is the same and I come out on top,” he said.
“It’s always a bonus to be able to stay in your own bed and have dinner at home before a race weekend. I’m going to try and treat it as a normal night, and just relax and take advantage of the fact that home isn’t too far from the track.
“Murray Bridge always gets a big turn out of friends, family and fans, and I think especially having Brett Metcalfe racing will give people even more reason to come out and support us.”
Despite no longer residing in South Australia, the 2015 defending MX Nationals champ Gibbs has fond memories of growing up in Mount Gambier, and shared that he too will have a number of family and friends heading out to the venue this weekend to throw their support behind the home grown South Australian star.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend, I don’t get to go home much these days and I only race in South Australia once a year so it’s going to be good to get back – I’m really going to enjoy it,” he said.
“It’s always cool to see so many familiar faces at Murray Bridge, and have that extra bit of support by having lots of my family and friends there. It’s going to be nice to catch up with everyone and hopefully I can put on a good show for the home crowd.
“I’ve had some good results at Murray Bridge in the past but it doesn’t necessarily give me an advantage – all of the guys are riding very well, so I’m just going to do my best and try and put myself in the best position possible.”
The fourth round of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals will be held at Murray Bridge in South Australia on Sunday May 22.
