Burnham-On-Sea BMX rider Liam Phillips says he is “bitterly disappointed” after crashing out of the Olympics finals on Friday, ending his medal hopes.
Liam, 23, qualified for the final after further good performances in Friday’s semi-final rounds – but he finished in last position in the crucial final medal race folliwing an accident despite a superb start.
Liam had been running third or fourth but lost ground after coming out of the starting gate too fast.
Speaking afterwards, Liam said: “I probably got the best start of my life.”
“But I overshot the second jump and probably the first.”
“On the step up, Willoughby changed the way he was going and I thought I was going to crash then, but I managed to unclip and stay up.”
“You can’t compete with those guys if you make a mistake like that. It’s a bitter disappointment to be right there in a podium position at the start.”
“But I’m pleased to have been here – ten weeks ago I was having surgery on my shoulder with a broken collarbone and shoulder blade, bruised ribs – but I defied all expections just to be here, let alone be a contender so I’m pleased, although at the moment I’m disappointed.”
Liam’s family, friends and supporters were among the crowd of 6,000 people at the track, who also included David Beckham and Prime Minister David Cameron.
The final was won by Latvia’s Maris Strombergs.
Liam, 23, was raised in Burnham-On-Sea and went to Highbridge’s King Alfred School. Both of his parents were involved in BMX and Liam’s father is a former national coach who helped to set up the Burnham BMX Club.
Liam won his first European title in 1999, and represented Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics when he reached the BMX quarter finals in Beijing.
Liam suffered a fractured collarbone in a fall at the 2012 BMX World Championships in Birmingham earlier this year, but had surgery and says he is back to full fitness and ready for action.
Liam crashed out of the Olympics final mid-way through the race
Liam limps home in last position – fortunately uninjured – after his crash
Liam said he was “speechless” with the positive reception from supporters
