NSW’s Joel Brown has been crowned the 2014 Australian FMX Championships 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 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.
2013 Precise Pro Open podium: L to R – 2nd Pete Anderson, 1st Joel Brown, 3rd Luke McNeill – photo: Grant Cross
“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,” admits 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,” he said. “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.”
Pete Anderson, Cordova flip – photo: Grant Cross
Meanwhile, NSW’s Tom Robinson impressed both the judges and his rivals has 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 his first-ever Backflips to dirt without even attempting the trick into the foam-pit.
2013 AFMXC champion Joel Brown, Seatgrab flip – photo: Grant Cross
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,” Sturtridge says. “With more industry support we can continue to move forward and grow the series, not only next year, but well into the foreseeable future.”
Luke McNeill, Superflip – photo: Grant Cross
Precise Pro Open results
Joel Brown 25
Pete Anderson 22
Luke McNeill 20
Tom Robinson 18
Gyles Stainton 16
Joe Sheppard 15
Tyler Wakeford 14
Zac Mackenzie 13
Morgan Gilks 12
Tim Egan 11
Daniel Coe 10
Ethan Burns 9
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
11. Brodie Markham 25
12. Daniel Coe 23
13. Brodie Carmichael 19
14. Gyles Stainton 16
15. Luke Davey 16
16. Steve Sommerfeld 14
17. Ethan Burns 13
18. Aaron Guthrie 13
19. Morgan Gilks 12
20. Jake Smith 12
21. Tim Egan 11
22. Marcus Henderson 10
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
11. Ethan Burns 13
12. Aaron Guthrie 13
13. Morgan Gilks 12
14. Jake Smith 12
15. Tim Egan 11
16. Marcus Henderson 10
For more information and updates on the AFMXC series and the Precise Pro Open, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/AUFMXC
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