article_snippet.sent: There are certain areas I need to improve to get on the start gate in Rio and know that I've done everything I can to be as good, if not better, than my competitors in every single area,' Liam Phillips said. '
article_snippet.sent: The sport is continuing to improve and I need to continue to improve. '
article_snippet.sent: There's challenges this season that I would love to accomplish, which don't necessarily mean going to a race and winning. '
article_snippet.sent: Last year in Argentina I was in second and almost passed the reigning Olympic champion (Latvia's Maris Strombergs) for the win. '
article_snippet.sent: I'd like a little bit more exposure to - not being out in front and having to try to pass some of the best guys to come back and win.
article_snippet.sent: That would add to my box of tricks come the 2012 Olympics.'
article_snippet.sent: Last year's World Championships was so frustrating because I sacrificed doing a few races before then because I wanted to chuck everything at retaining that title. '
article_snippet.sent: I was absolutely flying and I know that given the opportunity to continue racing I would certainly have been more than capable of retaining that, but that's BMX. '
article_snippet.sent: I want to push forward now.'
article_snippet.sent: Liam Phillips added: 'I look back at the World Cup last year and I've never experienced pressure like that.
article_snippet.sent: Being reigning world champion, everybody expects you to win. '
article_snippet.sent: There's 150 guys in the race, but everybody is looking at this as the race.