Burnham-On-Sea BMX cyclist Liam Phillips fought hard but could not win a second UCI BMX World Championship title in horrendous conditions in Belgium on Saturday (July 25th).
An uncharacteristically slow start in the final cost Liam – who was the 2013 world champion – and he finished fifth as strong winds and heavy rain battered the circuit and forced the racing programme to be reduced.
“I’m really disappointed in the fact that I didn’t have a good start in a world championship final,” Liam said afterwards.
“I’ve proven over the last few years that I can deliver under those high pressure situations.”
“Regardless of the result, the most frustrating thing is that I wasn’t able to deliver in those circumstances and that’s a bitter pill to swallow to be honest. I was right there and I felt like that race was there to win, I really did.”
Appalling rain and wind in the morning forced organisers to cut the racing down and bring the start time forward by one hour, with just one moto heat instead of the normal three making every round into a straight knockout.
Conditions worsened as the racing went on with standing water on the track and strong winds making for testing conditions for riders.
Phillips had won his three races on route to the final eight but mistimed his start in the final. The 26-year-old fought back but could not contest the medal positions.
Liam has been an active member of Burnham BMX Club since the age of four and represented Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. He is a former pupil of Berrow School and Highbridge’s King Alfred School.
