The trophy is literally taller than him.
Nine-year-old Tyler Gibbs was recently crowned the 65cc Pee Wee B champion after winning the Western Canadian Amateur Nationals in Alberta.
And Gibbs is no stranger to the winner’s podium.
He won his first race at four years old, said his father, Paul, and has been regularly excelling in nearly all of his competitions, including a top 10 finish in the world minis.
The nationals took place at Temple Hill Motocross Park in Raymond, Alta., and because Gibbs is the past champ, he didn’t have to run the qualifying races in Pemberton, but chose to anyway, conclusively sewing up first place in both the 65 cc and 85 cc classes.
The Temple Hill schedule was aggressive, with two races a day, but Gibbs held strong and won each of his 65 cc motos on his KTM machine, but ended up 10th overall in the 85 cc category, in which he competes on a Kawasaki.
His top 65 cc finish wasn’t a question, as he had a great start and was bike lengths ahead of his nearest competitor when he took the checkered flag.
The Nicomen Island youth gets out on his machine about twice a week, as well as regular practices on Tuesday night at Mission Raceway Park’s motocross course.
The blond-haired rider is pretty clear on his future intentions:
“I want to go pro,” he said, listing his top heroes as legends like Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael.
The family is regularly touring most weekends to races across the province, but will now start heading further afield into the United States where there is a higher level of competition, said Paul.