BMX Star Takes to the Boards at Manchester World Cup

 

Interview: Shanaze Reade
January, 2007

Shanaze chats to Victoria Pendleton during training at the Velodrome.

 

Competing at the UCI Manchester World Track Cup will a Junior World Champion who has never ridden in a Track competition before, BMX Champion, Shanaze Reade (18). Whilst attending training sessions for many months now, I've seen her going through her routine just like any of the other champions on the track and at Manchester in the World Cup event, that training will be put to the test as she is expected to team up with another of the young sprinters in the Olympic Academy to race the Women's Team Sprint.

This event, for teams of two, is over 500 metres (2 laps). Like the men's event which Great Britain has such a rich record in, the two women start side by side, one in a starting gate and at the end of lap 1, the first rider pulls over to leave it to the next rider to finish the effort.

Shanaze explained that her training in what is the BMX off season, has seen her doing track work for three months on and off. With Manchester getting ever closer, the young lady who won her World Junior title in Brazil last year, will be concentrating more on the track and less on riding her BMX bike for the time being.

"With BMX during the winter, we have such a long break, this has helped keep me focused on another goal and helps me try and push myself even further. So doing the track is not only helping my track craft but also my BMX as well. And if I can get good enough, who knows what the future holds."

Shanaze lives in the same Olympic Academy house as sprinters Anna Blyth and Lucy Ayres and says that having moved away from home at 16, adjusting to being in the house has not been a problem. She describes it as like 'living your dream' with other riders who are as focused as she is.

"Each day you wake up, and if one of you is feeling a bit low, you help get them through the day so being together in the one house has some real benefits".

 

Right: Shanaze in the gym last week preparing for Manchester World Track Cup.

At the velodrome watching her circle the track with the established track stars, Shanaze appears to be very much at home. "I feel like I've known everyone for years so its really good. I have known Anna for a few years because she used to do a little bit of BMX in the talent team but with the others, I just came along and they all welcomed me so well. It feels like a really good environment to be part of".

Talking about her training on the track, Shanaze says "I've just been doing the basics really. Start gate and paced efforts and each time I come onto the track now, I am trying different things and learning."

Her target is to try and get to the Manchester World Cup doing a standing start effort of around 19.8 or 19.7 which would be a very competitive time and may well give the first year seniors a good chance of a medal at the World Track Cup.

Shanaze will be one of two BMX stars at Manchester, the other being Jamie Staff, and the young World Champion is expecting to hear a lot of support from the stands from her friends in BMX.

Asked to describe how the effort on the track is different to BMX, Shanaze explained "In BMX you get up to a high cadence straight away whilst on the track you have to wind it up and get into it. That is the only major difference apart from the fact that on the track you are racing against the clock whilst in BMX there are so many different variables; the type of track, the wind, the start gate and so on. Everything is different."

Describing the moment the gates drops in BMX, Shanaze says she tries to blank out the outside influences like the crowd as she enters the 'zone' and focuses on one thing - winning! She expects to do the same on the track and as well as the Manchester World Cup, she is also hoping to get a ride at the World Track Championships in the Women's Team Sprint.

 

Right: Racing around in derny chases, Shanaze is already posting quick times despite never having actually 'raced' on the track before.

Then, it will be back to the BMX tracks around the World when Shanaze continues her push to be a senior world champion. "I have the same goals this year as I did last year. I feel I have a good chance in everything I enter so we'll see how it goes."

Talking about how the Great Britain Cycling team has got behind BMX after its inclusion in the Olympic Games, Shanaze says "I think its amazing. We couldn't ask for anything more. We have been put into such a professional set up. I think out of all the sporting organisations, the GB Cycling Team is one of the most professional. So for BMX, which is seen as a kids sport, to be put into this professional world, nothing better could have happened to it."

A final question. With Beijing only a year or so away, I asked is the 18 year old getting a little nervous? "I wouldn't say nervous. I just want the race to end! As much as I want it to come, I want it to be over. I am ready for it though!"

Event Programme Information and ticket information
Full details of the UCI Track Cycling Manchester World Cup event programme can be found on www.worldtrackcycling.com which includes a link directly to the Ticketmaster page for the event. Day ticket prices start at £12 for adults and £6 for children.