Joel Brown wins 2013 AFMXC

NSW’s Joel Brown was crowned the 2013 Australian FMX Champion, after winning the fourth and final round of the series at Mackay, Qld over the weekend.

Brown, 28, entered the Precise Pro Open as the heavy favourite to take home the title after previous series leader, Matt Schubring, and third placed Callum Shaw were both absent due to other riding commitments. Still, Brown was forced to give it his all as he fended off a rapidly-improving Pete Anderson and the always competitive Luke McNeill.

“I entered the final round at Mackay thinking I’d be able to take it a bit easy, but those plans went out the window during practice when I saw how well everyone was riding,” said Brown. “Pete Anderson in particular had stepped up his game hugely since the previous round at Boonah and I had to pull out all the stops to take the win. I’m rapt to finally win a national title. I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the past two years to get to this point, but the reward has been worth it. You can’t wipe the smile off my face.”

Meanwhile, NSW’s Tom Robinson impressed both the judges and his rivals as he claimed the Tyrone Gilks Memorial Underground Championship title on his way to fourth Overall on the day.

It was also a momentous event for Morgan Gilks, the brother of the late, great Tyrone Gilks, and Toowoomba’s Tyler Wakeford, who both landed their first-ever Backflips to dirt without even attempting the trick into a foam-pit.

Series judge and one of the championship’s organisers, Cameron Sturtridge, says the riding level from all riders exceeded any previous year since the series began in 2007.

“It goes to show that this model works for progressing the sport; we’ve provided a platform so riders can set goals and progress in a safe and supportive yet competitive environment,” said Sturtridge. “With more industry support we can continue to move forward and grow the series, not only next year, but well into the foreseeable future.”

For more information and updates on the AFMXC series and the Precise Pro Open, click here.

Precise Pro Open Results:

1. Joel Brown, 25

2. Pete Anderson, 22

3. Luke McNeill, 20

4. Tom Robinson, 18

5. Gyles Stainton, 16

6. Joe Sheppard, 15

7. Tyler Wakeford, 14

8. Zac Mackenzie, 13

9. Morgan Gilks, 12

10. Tim Egan, 11

Australian FMX Championship:

1. Joel Brown, 70

2. Luke McNeill, 55

3. Matt Schubring, 47

4. Tom Robinson, 43

5. Callum Shaw, 40

6. Pete Anderson, 38

7. Tyler Wakeford, 36

8. Ryan Brown, 29

9. Joe Sheppard, 26

10. Zac Mackenzie, 25

Tyrone Gilks Memorial Underground Championship:

1. Tom Robinson, 43

2. Callum Shaw, 40

3. Tyler Wakeford, 36

4. Ryan Brown, 29

5. Zac MacKenzie, 25

6. Brodie Markham, 25

7. Daniel Coe, 23

8. Brodie Carmichael, 19

9. Gyles Stainton, 16

10. Luke Davey, 16