Luke McNeill kicked off his 2013 Australian FMX Championships (AFMXC) campaign with a bang by winning the qualifying round of the series at Boonah in Queensland on Sunday.

Coming off a lengthy injury, the New South Wales native headed off a spirited challenge from 13 other hopefuls including property owner Callum Shaw and young up-and-comer Luke Davey to claim the day’s honours.

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 saw each rider undertake two runs with their best effort determining their placing.

McNeill and Shaw quickly placed themselves at the head of the field, with the biggest battles unfolding for the remaining three qualifying positions, just fractions of a point separated positions fifth through to eighth in the final wash-up.

Series organiser Joel Rayner was impressed with the quality of everyone’s skilled, safe and determined riding over both the two 75-foot ramps and two dirt doubles.

“I’m so stoked with the level of riding we saw here today,” Rayner said. “There was no silliness; everyone rode safe and smart. I will happily invite any of these riders to comps in future when spots are open.”

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.