Event winner Joel Brown flipping the 110ft ramp. Image: Grant Cross Photo.

Joel Brown has lived up to expectations he’s the rider to beat at the 2013 Australian and Underground Freestyle Motocross Championships (AFMXC) by claiming victory at the opening round of the Jetpilot Invitational at Coonabarabran, NSW, over the weekend.

Brown conquered both a world-class course and stiff competition from Australian legend Matt Schubring and Luke McNeill on his way to the win.

The YZ250 rider was at his aggressive best, throwing some of the biggest tricks in the business such as Seatgrab Indy Flips, Whip Flips, a Double Can flip off the 110ft ramp and huge upright combos.

“I’m really pumped to win on a big course like this,” Brown said afterward. “It was also great to be standing on the podium next to [Schubring]. I’ve looked up to him as a rider for a long time.”

Schubring, who has renounced his retirement to return to the sport he loves, was at his smooth, stylish best around a daunting course littered with both steel and dirt hits.

As well as his signature tricks and quarter-pipe domination, Schuie also threw his first Superflip Indy in years in a bid to topple Brown from the top of the dais, but had to settle for second.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden a course this big and I’m just happy to come out, ride with everyone and support the series that’s supporting Aussie FMX,” the Queenslander said afterward.

After winning the series qualifying round last month, McNeill proved he can mix it with the big guns with a well-deserved podium place.

In the Underground championship that runs parallel to the AFMXC, expat Kiwi Callum Shaw proved he’s the man to beat with big Superflip Indies and dirt-to-dirt flips.

AFMXC series organiser Joel Rayner was ecstatic at how smoothly the Jetpilot Invitational ran and the high quality of riding around a brutal course.

“Not taking anything away from the guys, but I’m genuinely surprised at how comfortable everyone was on such a big course,” Rayner said. “Even the new guys who progressed to the championship from the qualifying event hit almost every obstacle and did it safely. It just goes to show just how deep the talent pool runs in Australia.

“I also want to give credit to Cameron Sturtridge and the Goanna Tracks staff. They put on an amazing venue for us and the amount of work they invested into prepping the course for the boys is outstanding.”

The second round of the AFMXC, the Unit Invitational, will be held at Boonah, QLD, on 14 September.

2013 Jetpilot Invitational results:
1. Joel Brown 25
2. Matt Schubring 22
3. Luke McNeill 20
4. Callum Shaw 18
5. Tom Robinson 16
6. Brodie Markham 15
7. Tyler Wakeford 14
8. Brodie Carmichael 13
9. Jake Smith 12
10. Ryan Brown 11
11. Marcus Henderson 10
12. Luke Davey 9
13. Daniel Coe 8