Shanaze Reade has proved how versatile she already is by making the switch back and forth from the dirt of the BMX track to the boards of Track racing, and now the Olympic 2012 hopeful has announced she’ll make her first attempt at 4X racing when she attends the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William on 6-7 June.

20-year-old Reade, currently the UCI Elite World BMX Champion, is using the event to try her hand at mountain biking and is said to be preparing for “a shot at the 4X World Champion title later this year.” We don’t doubt her chances at that happening one little bit.

“I’ve always loved mountain biking but this will be my first real test competitively,” says Reade. “I want to prove that I’m versatile and I’m really going for a big year – aiming for BMX and mountain bike titles. I’ve heard great things about the course at Fort William – it will be brilliant fun but a major challenge too. Bring it on!”

Mike Jardine from Rare Management, organisers of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Fort William, adds: “Shanaze is a great star and an inspirational competitor, so its fantastic news that she’s chosen Fort William to make her 4X World Cup debut. She’ll add to the large group of British contenders in both downhill and 4X so there will be even more reason for bike fans to make the trip to the Highlands this year, to cheer on some home winners.”

The 4X competition will take place on Saturday 6 June at 7pm. Tickets for the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William are still available at www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk or by calling 01397 705 825 between 9am-5pm. A weekend adult pass is £32.00, 6-17 year olds pay £16.00 and children aged under six go free. Single day passes and family tickets are also available. Please visit the website for full details.