Young motocross star Rocky Gibbs received the perfect Christmas present this year – selection to race in Arizona.

Since then, the talented seven-year-old has been counting down the days, hours and minutes until he mixes it with some of the world’s best junior riders.
Rocky and his family left last week for the United States where they will spend three weeks.

His big day of racing is on February 1, US time, or February 2 in New Zealand.

“He was so excited; he could not wait to get over there,” his mum, Maddy Gibbs, said.

“It was quite a big process, and we didn’t think he would get selected, so being selected has led to the craziest opportunity.

“We are so proud of him to get to experience something like this.”
Rocky is motocross-mad having loved the sport since he was about three years old.
“We bought him a bike when he was three and he has ridden it ever since. He lives and breathes it. We still can’t believe he’s been chosen to ride in America. It’s an amazing opportunity for someone at such a young age.”

He had to register for the chance to be selected and send through school reports, videos and lots of evidence showing he can ride competently. Rocky also had to introduce himself via video.

It’s one night of racing at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross at State Farm, one of the 10 rounds where all the big stars from world motocross will be competing over a 12-week period, along with various juniors Rocky's age.

KTM put on an experience for 6-7-8-year-olds, with 15 youngsters per round given the opportunity to be treated like royalty for the day, signing autographs, getting bike gear, meeting the pro riders and just enjoying the experience.

The two pro riders Rocky really wants to meet are Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac.

“We put in an application to try our luck,” Gibbs said. “There were about 3000 kids last year. Fifteen then get chosen, so about 150 kids from across the world get to compete at the 10 rounds.
“He is so looking forward to it. It’s an exciting trip for the whole family. We will go to Disneyland and things like that.

They said finding out at Christmas about his selection left little time to prepare.

“It was a case of let’s get booking something and fast. So, we did.”

“It was definitely his favourite gift; he was rapt. He gets to race kids from all around the world. It’s the coolest opportunity ever, and we just couldn't turn it down.”

In America, he will be riding a KTM50 E5, an electric version of the petrol bike he competes on in New Zealand.

“It’s a change to what he has, but much the same.”

Earlier in the year, Rocky became a national champion after winning his age group at the Mini Motocross Nationals at New Plymouth.

With five races over two days, Rocky earned an impressive slew of results in the 6–8-year-old KTM50 class, picking up two wins, two second placings and one fifth.
For the upcoming New Zealand season, Rocky, who loves going fast, will soon be going even faster, upgrading to a KMT65 to compete in the 7–8-year-olds KMT65 class for the 2025 nationals.