Liam Phillips takes BMX world title in Auckland

Briton Liam Phillips held off the challenges of New Zealand's Marc Willers and Germany's Luis Brethauer to become the BMX world champion.

The 24-year-old, eighth in the 2012 Olympics final, pipped Willers to the line, with Brethauer taking third.

The Somerset rider won all six races en route to the World Championships final.

"So many people to thank for their sheer perseverance and continued belief. You guys know who you are - thank you," tweeted Phillips.

British Cycling Olympic BMX coach Grant White said: "It's phenomenal and he'd done the work.

"Once you've done the work you're prepared and you can sit there with a bit of confidence.

"He'd done the work to be successful and that's over a long period of time - that's not over the last few months, that's over the last couple of years. He knew he'd had a great preparation over the last 12 months and he delivered.

"It's a culmination of everything, we knew he was in the best shape of his life and came here and delivered. It's unbelievable, fantastic.

"This year he knows he's capable and he's got the package. He put it all together today."

Phillips won silver medals in the European Championships in 2006 and the world time trial last year as well as gold in Supercross at the World Cup in Manchester in April.