Shanaze Reade puts 2012 test ahead of worlds

Shanaze Reade believes the two-day London 2012 BMX test event at the Olympic Park is even bigger than last month's World Championships.

The 22-year-old from Crewe will compete in the time trials today before the elimination races tomorrow but the competition, which is part of the BMX Supercross World Cup, is about more than results for her.

Reade was unable to retain her world title in Denmark three weeks ago after a wrist injury hampered her preparations but, now fully recovered from the problem, she is looking to make the most of the next two days.

"I think it's going to be one of those events that is kind of going to be bigger than the World Championships because you want to use the facilities and get everything you can out of it," she told the BBC today. "Not just the race but where you want to be situated in the pens and everything.

"I remember the last test event. I finished the World Championships and then went on to Beijing and when I got there it was amazing. So to go to a test event in my home country will be special. I'll have my family in the crowd and they weren't able to be at the last test event or Olympics."

Despite being only 19, Reade went to Beijing as the favourite for gold having won back-to-back world titles.