McNeill Wins Australian FMX Championships Qualifier

Luke McNeill kicked off his 2013 campaign in dominating fashion by winning the qualifying round of the 2013 Australian FMX Championships (AFMXC) at Matt Schubrings former compound in Boonah, Qld on Sunday.

Coming off a lengthy injury plagued 2012, McNeill stamped his authority early within the practice rounds, being first to hit the nearly made dirt double and making a transfer line from a 75ft ramp. Property owner Callum Shaw and young up-and-comer Luke Davey kept McNeill true though fell short.

The top five qualifiers of McNeill, Shaw, Davey, Gyles Stainton and Jake Smith have now won the opportunity to contest the opening round of the AFMXC, the JetPilot Invitational on the Sunshine Coast this weekend.

The format for Sunday’s qualifying contest was simple: each rider would undertake two runs, with their best effort determining their placing. McNeill and Shaw quickly placed themselves at the head of the field. In his first run McNeill instantly showed authority with not only impressing the judges with his up right tricks but also back flipping the new dirt hit. In the second run McNeill played it safe though his final jump was his signature ‘Mini Flip’ out of a berm.

“I can’t thank Joel Rayner and Callum Shaw enough for organising and hold such an awesome event! Everyone today rode solid and safe which is a massive plus. It’s great to come back to competition with a win and I can’t wait for next weekend.”

The four-round AFMXC series proper will start on Saturday at Chevellum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The JetPilot Invitational is free to the public, with the riders battling from 10am to 4pm.

For more information on the JetPilot Invitational visit:

http://www.jetpilot.com.au/news.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/AUFMXC
http://rfdmx.com.au/afmxc/

2013 AFMXC Qualifier results
1. Luke McNeill
2. Callum Shaw
3. Luke Davey

AFMXC Series Dates
Rd1 – JetPilot Invitational, Sunshine Coast, Qld, June 29.
Rd2 – TBN, Coonabarrabran, NSW, August 23.
Rd3 – Unit Invitational, Boonah, Qld, September 14.
Rd4 – Precise Open, Mackay, Qld, October 19.