Reade looking to do Crewe proud

Shanaze Reade is the favourite to take BMX gold in Beijing

Britain's BMX gold medal hopeful Shanaze Reade says that she is proud to be representing her home town of Crewe at the Olympics.

The 19-year-old has won two world championships, and is the hot favourite to claim gold in Beijing.

She told BBC Radio Stoke: "It would be a great for the area if I can come back from the games with a medal."

"I always tell my background story to kids from Crewe or similar places, to say if I can do it, anyone can".

"It's very important not to forget your roots and where you come from because most top people come from cities or a well-off family," she added.

Reade has also tasted success in the velodrome, being a two-time world champion in the team sprint with fellow Olympian Victoria Pendleton.

To be part of the squad is something that may only happen once in my lifetime. So to do that and be one of the favourites for BMX gold, I couldn't ask for anymore Shanaze Reade

However her Olympic track ambitions will have to wait because that event is not included in the Beijing Games.

"I'm so proud to represent Great Britain as a nation and especially cycling at the moment, because it's at such a high standard," she said.

"To be part of the squad is something that may only happen once in my lifetime. So to do that and be one of the favourites for BMX gold, I couldn't ask for anymore."