by Our Sports Desk

Victoria Pendleton was excited yesterday by the return to the track of a rider she describes as “phenomenally strong.”

Pendleton won two team sprint world titles alongside BMX specialist Shanaze Reade in 2007 and 2008.

Now Reade has turned her back on BMX with the Rio Olympics in mind, instead returning to the starting position in the two-woman, two-lap team sprint.

Pendleton, who retired after the London 2012 Olympics, has high hopes for the 26-year-old from Crewe, who is a three-time BMX world champion, but twice experienced disappointment in Olympic finals.

“She is just phenomenally strong, it absolutely blows my mind. She needs to put that to good use,” Pendleton said
“I don’t think I’ve come across as many women who are as physically gifted as she is.

“For her, there’s definitely opportunities on the track. She’s very much had unfinished business there. She needs to finish that story off.”

Reade crashed when attempting a gold medal or bust manoeuvre at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and four years later appeared to freeze for the crucial fraction of a second at the top of the start hill, having breezed into the final, and again left without a medal.

The controlled environment of the velodrome offers her an outlet for her athletic prowess, without the associated worries of the rough and tumble world of BMX.

“Track gives her a really solid opportunity to express what she’s got,” two-time Olympic champion Pendleton added.

“There’s a lot less risk involved with working on the track. It’s very much a power led aspect of the sport and she’s got a lot of power.”

Reade left the British Cycling programme to race BMX in the United States before returning to compete for a place in the track team, which will be boosted by her presence.

Two-time world champion Becky James is continuing her return from knee surgery and may not be back to her best by Rio, while Reade’s inclusion could allow Jess Varnish to diversify and ride the second lap of the team sprint.

“There’s a lot of good potential opportunities there,” Pendleton said.

“It’s very positive Shanaze has come into the mix. The risk of Becky potentially not being in condition would’ve left the team in a difficult place.”