London 2012 Olympics: Phillips blown away by support as he secures place in quarters

The 23-year-old from Burnham-on-Sea bounced back from a broken collarbone sustained at May’s BMX World Championships in Birmingham, a day after winning time-trial silver, to qualify in 38.719 seconds as Raymon van der Biezen of Holland advanced in first place in 37.779sec.

Three-time world champion Shanaze Reade qualified fifth in the women’s event, which resumes with tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Phillips worked as a commentator at last August’s test event while trying out for the track team as a specialist starter in the team sprint before returning to BMX the following month.

He said: “This is what I wanted. I like riding on the track, but it didn’t float my boat. This is where I belong. Whatever happens in terms of results, I’m here to enjoy it and to have 6,000 people that have paid to come and watch a sport that I’ve done since I was five years old is mind-blowing.”

Phillips was drawn in the second quarter-final heat, with five runs to determine whether he will advance to tomorrow’s semi-finals.

The Somerset rider was satisfied with his ride and believes his form is good despite the shoulder problem. “It’s not great, but I’ve never really had any exposure to 6,000 people screaming your name,” said Phillips of the qualifying ride. “It’s a good start, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m in good shape. The race to the first turn, that’s the most important part and that part of my lap’s better than it ever has been, even at the world champs. It’s pretty scary to come off the back of an injury and be going faster than you were at the world champs ten weeks’ ago. That’s certainly the case in my book, but in BMX anything can happen, it’ll be a lottery.”

Reade was fifth in the corresponding women’s event, clocking 39.368 as world time-trial champion Caroline Buchanan of Australia advanced as fastest qualifier in 38.433.

Reade and Buchanan were set to meet in the same semi-final, featuring three runs, tomorrow.

The 23-year-old from Crewe was given a rousing ovation and carried the hosts’ hopes as she searched to erase her memory of Beijing. Reade crashed out of the 2008 Olympic final in attempting a gold-medal-or-bust manoeuvre and was among the favourites in London.

Reade, who won the test event last summer, said: “It felt quite good out there. The first race is always going to be a bit rusty.

“It was amazing to compete in front of a home crowd. I have been sitting around and watching Olympic titles being won and have just wanted to get out there and compete myself.”