Shanaze Reade

A world BMX and track cycling champion, Shanaze Reade is part of a strong Great Britain team expected to top the cycling medal table in London. With a host of junior BMX titles, including three world crowns, to her name, Reade won her first senior world championship at the age of just 17. Converted to track cycling in 2007, she won the team sprint alongside Victoria Pendleton at the World Championships of that year, becoming the first cyclist to ever win gold in her debut track season. The team sprint pair again won gold at the World Championships in Manchester in 2008, but a lack of options for female cyclists saw Reade look to the BMX at that year’s Olympic Games. Reade went into the competition as two-team world champion and favourite to win gold, but she trailed going into the last corner of the final and crashed, ending the race in last position. She continued to balance BMX and track cycling following the Beijing Olympics, claiming world silver in the team sprint at the 2009 World Championships. With young sprinter Jessica Varnish posing strong competition for places on the track and opportunities limited to compete in both sports at the London Games, Reade has opted again for the BMX event and will go into the 2012 Olympics as favourite to claim gold.