Reade to ride BMX in Beijing
Young British cyclist Shanaze Reade will only ride the BMX category at this year's Beijing Olympic...
Young British cyclist Shanaze Reade will only ride the BMX category at this year's Beijing Olympic Games in August. Reade won the women's team sprint world title at last year's Track World Championships in Spain, after pairing with Victoria Pendleton for a sensational track debut. At the time there was speculation the youngster could switch from BMX to track in time for Beijing, however the Briton is determined to star at BMX's Olympic debut.
"I will just be competing as a BMX rider at the Olympics," she confirmed.
Reade is readying to defend her track world title with Pendleton on home soil. The pair will lineup at this week's Track World Championships in Manchester, England.
"I can't wait, especially as it is on home soil [Manchester]," said Reade. "Last year I got a gold medal in the women's team sprint with Victoria Pendleton after six weeks' intensive crossover training from BMX to track cycling. I feel just like a boxer getting ready for a fight."
Reade has won three world, two junior, one senior, eight European and five British BMX championships during her career to date. While Reade will be one of the strongest hopes for the first Olympic BMX medal this August, the youngster will be a likely gold medal contender on the track in time for the London Olympic Games in 2012.
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