BMX: Shanaze Reade considering switch to velodrome for Rio 2016 Olympics

Shanaze Reade in BMX action (GETTY IMAGES)

BMX ace Shanaze Reade is considering a return to the velodrome for the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 after a second successive Olympic final disappointment.

Reade, who finished sixth in the BMX final at the Olympic Velopark yesterday, twice won Track Cycling World Championship titles in the team sprint alongside Victoria Pendleton in 2007 and 2008, before the two-woman, two-lap event was included in the Olympics for the first time at London 2012.

In London, Jess Varnish partnered Pendleton, who has now retired to leave a vacancy which Reade could fill, possibly as specialist starter, with Varnish riding the second lap.

Reade insisted a track return would not be at the expense of BMX, but knows she has potential in the discipline.

The 23-year-old Crewe rider told Press Association Sport: "I believe I've got a lot to offer on the track and in BMX.

"I can definitely say BMX is at the forefront of that, because I've got unfinished business.

"But at the same time let's see where the track world takes me.

"I only ever did six-week blocks on the track and I've seen some fantastic results.

"In the team sprint times have moved on from when I did it; people are training for that event now.

"I'd be silly to close that door entirely now that Victoria's left and left more of a space for the other British athletes to come through.

"I'll take a bit of time out and see where my career path leads."

Reade crashed out of the 2008 Olympic final in Beijing attempting a gold-medal-or-bust manoeuvre before finishing sixth after a slow start to her London 2012 final.

She added: "I feel pretty tired after the whole experience. I feel pretty flat still, but at the same time I've got to hold my head up high.

"I gave it my absolute best. I felt good mentally and physically, but obviously in the final it didn't pay off."

PA