Photo Courtesy of Metro UK
Shanaze Reade is a long way from Beijing.
Four years ago, the Crewe rider was the nearest thing Britain had to a nailed-on Olympic gold. At just 19, the reigning world champion had won almost every meaningful race she had ever entered until her first Games.
But, finding herself second to Anne-Caroline Chausson of France entering the final bend, she committed herself to a last-gasp attempt to pass.
It failed. Reade hit the dirt, finished eighth, and the devastated teenager considered quitting.
‘I just stepped back and thought: I got into sport for the fun, for the enjoyment. Talent mixed with determination and everything else equalled good things. But I didn’t get into it to feel so low and depressed. I was in a very dark place after Beijing.’
Four years later, her commitment to her sport fully restored, Reade is sat in British Cycling’s world-leading indoor BMX track in Manchester, discussing a year which will see her compete on home soil in the world championships, in Birmingham, before seeking Olympic redemption in London.
