Sunbury BMX champ Liam Quinlivan flying high at freestyle nationals

Sunbury BMX champion Liam Quinlivan is flying high as he gears up for the national championships.

Sunbury’s Liam Quinlivan is preparing to compete at the Freestyle BMX National Championships. Picture: Rob Leeson

A spoke-tacular Sunbury talent is hoping to make his mark on the Australian BMX scene.

Liam Quinlivan will line up against Australia’s best in the first Freestyle BMX Nationals in Melbourne next week.

The championships provide the first opportunity for Quinlivan to earn a national ranking and put himself on the path to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The 21-year-old Sunbury resident said his love of riding started nine years ago.

“My older brother used to ride BMX, we lived pretty close to a skate park,” he said.

“One day, I saw someone do a backflip on a bike. I thought it was just the coolest thing ever.”

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He said freestyle BMX allowed for more creativity than traditional racing.

“Everyone is encouraging you to do the biggest, craziest stuff. If you can overcome that fear, it’s the best feeling ever,” he said.

While he might have the hometown advantage, having practised at the West Melbourne facility, Quinlivan acknowledged the tough competition.

“I know what I can do, so hopefully I bring some fire to this competition,” he said.

“You always have the Australian riders like Logan (Martin) and Brandon Loupos as well as guys like Jake Wallwork, Kyle Baldock and Alec Danelutti who are all absolute shredders of riders.”

Quinlivan confirmed he was eyeing off a 2020 Olympic spot.

“I definitely have lots to prove, I know what I have and what I can bring so I’m just going to bring it,” he said.

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