Defending BMX world champion Liam Phillips out to prove his quality

Phillips won the title at the 2013 world championships in Auckland, but will face a tough task if he is to defeat Latvian Strombergs, winner of Olympic gold at London 2012, and retain the crown on Sunday.

Only Kyle Bennett of the United States has won consecutive men's elite titles, but Phillips is understandably keen to join that exclusive club.

And, despite his triumph in New Zealand, Phillips still feels like he has a point to prove.

The 25-year-old's victory last year came in a final that did not feature Strombergs or time-trial world champion Connor Fields, both of whom fell before the showpiece race.

But, with Fields and Strombergs both in the field in Rotterdam, Phillips is eager to prove his quality again.

"There hasn't been an athlete in the last decade who has been to defend their world title so for me to be able to go out there and do that would be an absolute honour," Phillips said.

"At last year's worlds there were a few big names that didn't actually make it to the final and I think that although you've got to make it to that last race and you've got to go out and win, in BMX terms there was a few sceptics who didn't feel like I was deserved of that world title.

"So for me there'd be nothing greater than to win that title with the best guys in the world."

With the big names on show in the Netherlands, UCI BMX co-ordinator Ellen Bollansee expects the quality of racing to be "exceptional."

But one rider that will not be present in the women's elite category is Britian's Shanaze Reade, who suffered a broken elbow in a crash at her training camp in Denmark.

The absence of Reade - a three-time elite champion and time-trial winner in 2011 - will boost the hopes of Australia's Caroline Buchanan defending her title.

Buchanan finished outside the medals at London 2012, and is motivated by the prospect of atoning for that failure in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 as she looks to continue her recent success.

"That's what's keeping me hungry, keeping me motivated," Buchanan said.

"The desire to win that gold medal is burning pretty strong."