Image: Foremost Media.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Kirk Gibbs is still seeking answers on the extent of a right shoulder injury sustained in the final moto of Saturday’s Pirelli MX Nationals at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

The 2015 Australian champion crashed heavily after a pair of riders collided in his path, and while he remounted to continue charging, he later succumbed to the pain and was forced to withdraw from the encounter.

Admitting himself to hospital, Gibbs failed to receive desired answers on the injury, returning to the circuit on Sunday where he was evaluated by Racesafe and deemed unfit to race round five, ultimately crushing his championship hopes.

Gibbs is understood to be returning home to Queensland this week, where he’ll undergo further evaluation and scans in order to receive a complete diagnosis.

“I knew straight away that I had hurt it, but I didn’t know to what extent,” Gibbs told MotoOnline.com.au. “It was really sore, and I kept trying to ride to salvage points, and for those three or four laps it was okay because of the adrenaline, but it started wearing off and it was just weaker and worse.

“It got to a point where I could barely hang on, so I pulled in. I spent seven or eight hours at the hospital and didn’t get home until 1am – I didn’t really get the answers I was looking for.

“I went to Racesafe to get checked out, and it was no good – [the shoulder] is just super weak. I’m not overly happy about, but it what it is. I’ve just got to get everything sorted in this six/seven-week break and come out swinging.”

The untimely injury proved to be a double blow for the born and bred South Australian, who has not only had his championship chances dashed, but was also denied of vying for a podium – and even victory – in front of a home crowd.