Shanaze Reade predicts GB to dominate BMX

Three-time world champion Shanaze Reade has predicted that Great Britain will become the world's dominant nation in BMX Supercross by the 2016 Olympics.

Reade, who has appeared in two Olympic finals but is yet to win a medal, races at the BMX Supercross World Cup, which begins in Manchester on Friday.

"British athletes have gone from one level to the next already and I think it can only get better and better.

"I can't see why we can't be the top nation in 2016," said Reade, 24.

GB coach Grant White says the facilities at the National BMX Centre in Manchester have given his riders a big advantage over other countries.

"This is a world leading facility," he said. "For us to have the centre at our disposal is like a dream, it really is. The development we've seen in our riders is massive."

Reade, who has also won two world championships as a track cyclist, goes into the World Cup series in good form, having won both opening rounds at the recent European Series in France, adding to her victory at the first event in the British BMX Series in late March.

"Everything I am gearing towards this year is to become BMX world champion," she said. "The races along the way, like this one, are preparation for that."

A world-class field will compete in Manchester, including British rider Liam Phillips.

The 24-year-old crashed out of last summer's Olympic final, having broken his collarbone just 10 weeks before.

"That's BMX," he said. "One mistake and you go from leading the Olympic final to rolling around on the floor."

More than 200 riders representing 26 countries will compete at the Manchester Cycling Centre on Friday and Saturday in the first round of the 2013 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup.

Reade's main rivals will be American Alise Post, Dutchwoman Laura Smulders and reigning world champion Magalie Pottier from France.