BMX CHALLENGE

Britain’s Shanaze Reade put on a brave display at the Beijing Games at the Olympics newest addition, BMX cycling. Preparations for the tough sport pose unique challenges and tests of agility, strength and most of all determination.

The BMX course in Manchester has enabled BMX cyclists like Reade and Liam Phillips to work with British Cycling’s performance team, coaches and EIS support staff both on and off the track, honing their talents for the exciting new Olympic sport.

With similar explosive power needed to that of the sprint track athletes, Reade works with EIS Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Simpson to prepare for the challenges on the track.

“Shanaze’s strength and conditioning work has built up over the past two and a half years” said EIS Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Simpson, who has worked closely with Shanaze and the British cycling coaches. “She has significant strength and power and we’ve further developed this with light and fast strength which is needed for the BMX. There is also a significant upper body component to BMX, so Shanaze has being working a lot on specific BMX upper body training, together with specific core work that links the upper and lower body.

“Shanaze is currently lifting two and a half times her body-weight in strength exercises, and is demonstrating huge gains in power on the explosive exercises. She’s an awesome athlete, with a huge drive and a lot of determination meaning she works incredibly hard” he added.

As athletes return from Beijing, BMX work will get back on track as the draw of it's second Olympic Games, London 2012, beckons.