2013 AFMXC champion Joel Brown, Seatgrab Flip. Image: Grant Cross Photo.

Joel Brown has been crowned the 2013 Australian FMX Champion after winning the fourth and final round of the series at Mackay, Queensland, 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.

“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,” admitted 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.”

Meanwhile, 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 their first-ever backflips to dirt without even attempting the trick into the 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,” 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.”

For more information and updates on the AFMXC series and the Precise Pro Open, visit www.facebook.com/AUFMXC or http://rfdmx.com.au/afmxc.

2013 Australian FMX Championships
Mackay, Queensland

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

Overall championship results (final standings):
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 results:
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