Liam Phillips
Liam Phillips began cycling when he was just five years old and quickly fell in love with the sport. He started competing as a junior and went on to win ten consecutive British titles and the 1999 European BMX Championship title. This success alerted British Cycling and he joined the Olympic Academy Programme in 2005 at the age of 16.
Liam was selected to compete at the Beijing Olympics and aged just 19 made it to the quarter finals in what was BMX’s debut at the Olympics. He took his first podium finish at World Cup level when he took the Silver medal in 2010 in Copenhagen.
Fast facts
- Liam became the youngest person to join the British Olympic squad at 16
- He won ten consecutive British titles as a junior
- Liam's favourite racing tune is 'Watch the Throne' by Kanye West and Jay Z.
In 2011, Liam was asked to train with Britain's track cycling stars, having proved he had the power to compete for a position in the men’s team sprint. He spent six months training on the track, picking up a bronze medal in the team sprint at the British Track Championships, before making the decision to return to BMX.
Speaking of his decision, Liam said: 'My time training on the track was fantastic and it was such an awesome opportunity to train with the sprint squad. Ultimately though, I missed my BMX bike and as such have made the decision to return to BMX racing.'
Since then he's had highs and lows. At the 2012 BMX World Championships Liam took silver in the time trial – a great result, but unfortunately BMX time trial isn't an Olympic event. A day later he crashed out of the Super Cross (which is an Olympic event), fracturing his collarbone and threatening his bid to compete at London 2012. Liam recovered well in time but could not win a medal, crashing out in the final to finish 8th. Liam is now considering his options with an eye on Rio 2016.
