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Liam Phillips Joins GB Track Sprint Squad

British Cycling Press Release, 26 April 2011

British Cycling has today confirmed that GB BMX rider Liam Phillips will also train with the Track Sprint Programme having shown the power output potential to bid for the Man One* position in the Men's Team Sprint.

Liam, who won Silver in the Copenhagen round of the UCI BMX Supercross 2010, will target the U23 European Track Championships in Portugal in July with the main goal of making the elite squad for the 2011/2012 World Cup season and beyond.

Speaking of the new opportunity, Liam said: "Over the past few years, I've sustained numerous injuries which have left me unable to train on the BMX track for significant periods of time. Turning to track has meant that I receive a solid block of training with opportunities to compete at a high-level which means I'm not missing out on the competition experience. And let's face it - this has to be one of the best environments in the world of cycling to train in!"

Head Coach Shane Sutton said: "BMX requires powerful acceleration from a standing start which mirrors what's required from the Man One rider in the Team Sprint. Like Jamie Staff before him, Liam has proved he is powerful enough to bring the rest of the team up to pace within the first lap. With that in mind it is certainly worth bringing him into the squad to take a closer look, whilst keeping the door open for Liam to continue his BMX career."

*The Men's Team Sprint is a three-lap event ridden by teams of three riders, with "Man One" leading the trio for the first 250m lap, before peeling off and leaving "Man Two" to lead for the second lap, before he in turn hands over to "Man Three" for the final lap.