Rio Olympics 2016: Liam Phillips out of men's BMX after heavy crash

Great Britain's Liam Phillips had to withdraw from the quarter-finals of the Olympic BMX after a heavy fall.

Phillips was involved in a crash before a collision with another rider pushed him off the track in the first of a three-race heat at the Rio Games.

The 2013 world champion, 27, was competing at his second Olympics.

Fellow Briton Kyle Evans, 22, also went out at the quarter-final stage after finishing fifth and seventh twice in his three races.

Phillips, who appeared to be badly hurt in the crash, later tweeted, external to say: "I'm OK. Thanks for all the messages."

British Cycling Olympic BMX coach Grant White said: "Liam walked off with our doctor to go for a precautionary check-up. He hit his head in a heavy crash but his collarbone that he injured previously seems OK.

"That's just our sport sometimes. It comes with the territory and the riders love the sport. It doesn't make it any easier but they get used to it.

"He's faced challenging situations and this will be pretty raw for a while - but he's in the best shape of his life and got plenty of years ahead of him.

"Kyle held his own and this will be great experience. He's on an upwards curve and is pretty young. He would have liked to have gone through but he gave it a good crack and didn't disgrace himself."

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