Red Bull Australia

When it comes to grit and determination, Australian BMX Champion Luke Madill has it by the truck load. Proving that he is no BMX bandit, Luke has been a dominant force in Australia for many years now, having won the Australian Championship title eleven times since 1988. But status doesn’t mean much to Luke who enjoys riding how he knows how to ride and just having fun.

This young Aussie gun grew up in his family home in Sydney’s western suburbs where he learnt how to ride. Madill followed his brothers into BMX at the young age of three and competed at his first national championships when he was just five.

Known for his explosive track speed, skills and crashes, Luke admits that this is what sets him apart from other riders.

Luke finally managed to get his big break at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. When he heard in 2003 that BMX was being considered for inclusion in the Olympics, he didn’t get too excited, not willing to get his hopes up lest they were dashed. But once the Olympic start was confirmed, Madill dedicated his life to becoming an Olympian.

With the support of Red Bull, he even built a replica of the Beijing course in his backyard in Cranebrook, NSW, to train on. Madill now has his sights set on London 2012.

“[My goal is to] stay healthy and enjoy what I do. Keep riding until I’m not having fun with it. Help the younger riders coming through get the most out of the sport and maybe aim for another Olympics in 2012,” he said.