Shanaze Reade toughs it out to win gold at the BMX World Championships in Denmark
Last updated 7/31/2011 11:22:44 AM
Shanaze Reade toughs it out to win gold at the BMX World Championships in Denmark
Great Britain's Shanaze Reade added to her world title haul and displayed her mental and physical strength when she added yet another world title to her growing list in Copenhagen.
Advised not to compete because of a painful wrist injury she triumphed in the time trial event at the BMX World Championships in Denmark.
The phenomenally successful 22-year-old won world titles in 2007, 2008 and 2010 but looked to have little chance to defend as doctors worked on her fitness.
With the 2012 London Olympic Games now less than a year away she again showed her mettle as she was fastest in Friday's qualifying run and then topped the standings again in the final, with Australian Caroline Buchanan taking silver.
The Briton finished in 37.440 seconds - 0.187 seconds ahead of Buchanan.
Reade had pulled out of the event earlier this week after aggravating the wrist on which she had recently undergone surgery, only to be persuaded to delay her decision over whether to compete following further tests and training.
After Denmark, she is next due to compete in the crucial BMX 2012 test event at the Olympic Park in Stratford on 19 and 20 August.
Reade, who has won three world titles, went to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 as a favourite for BMX gold but suffered huge disappointment when she crashed out in the final.
As well as hoping to make amends in London next year, she is also bidding to earn a place in the GB track cycling team for the team sprint after winning two world titles with Victoria Pendleton in 2007 and 2008.