FOR some of us, two-wheeled ambitions stretched no further than making our Raleigh Grifter sound like a motorbike by putting a piece of cardboard in the spokes.

Shanaze Reade has set her sights somewhat higher. She plans to win gold at the London Olympics ... and few would bet against her after the way the 20-year-old, from Crewe, has dominated BMX racing.

She will lose her twice-won World Championship title next month, but only because her right shoulder is in a sling, which means she can't defend her crown in Adelaide.

The ligament injury is one of several rips and breaks she's suffered since taking up the sport 10 years ago.

None has affected her determination to be an Olympic champion.

Reade said: "It is just a silly injury. I hit a stone and went over the handlebars. Unfortunately, whereas bones heal quickly and easily, it is usually a bit more complicated with muscles.

"In cycling, the common injury is either the collar bone, or, in my case, the shoulder because the first thing you do when you fall is put your arms out. But this is the longest I have been out of action, and this one's only four months.

"Missing the World Championships is a massive setback, but you have to overcome these things. My goal is to be Olympic champion and I have three years to work towards that.

"If anything, this injury has happened at the best time it could in my career."

However, the injury has continued a frustrating year for Reade, whose hopes of a gold medal at Beijing last year were dashed when she crashed during the final.

That has only made her more determined to succeed in London.

And BMX might not be her only event in 2012. She's is also a world class track cyclist who won gold medals at the 2007 and 2008 World Championships in the team sprint with Victoria Pendleton.

The duo 'only' won silver at this year's World Championships. The 'only' is a mark of how high the British team and Reade set their standards.

She added: "I am hoping to compete in both BMX and track cycling, but my main focus is BMX racing because that is where my passion lies.

"In the Olympics, I want to set the story straight after Beijing and become the champion.

"I will aim towards both. But my goal is to be the fastest person in the world on a bike. If that crosses over to track cycling, then that is what I will do."

Reade's injury didn't prevent her appearing at Burnwood Community Primary School, in Chell Heath, yesterday to open their BMX track.

Burnwood has become the first school in the country to have race-courses for track and BMX racing.

"They are fantastic facilities," she said. "Even if you don't go on to cycle at a high level, it is a great way to keep fit and active and to enjoy yourself.

"But who knows where it could take you? It took me to the Olympics."

That's been quite a journey since Reade, aged 10, tried the sport at Tipkinder Park in Crewe.

She said: "My uncle took me to see a race. They hired out bikes and helmets for £1, so I had a practice. People there said I had talent, although I didn't enjoy it much the first time. But I went back and was hooked.

"The club I joined was male dominated, but it certainly isn't a male dominated sport. Sometimes, girls can be a bit shy, but the facilities at this school will help them get involved.

"It is amazing to have all this at a school. All I had was a football pitch where we could play rounders."

The Burnwood pupils were clearly as delighted to have a world champion in their midst as they were to be unleashed on their new BMX track.

Reade says she'd would love to inspire youngsters to take up the sport, but is still getting used to being a role model.

She said: "I see myself more like one of these kids here on their bikes.

"To have the kids here making posters of me is pretty crazy. But it is also fantastic if I can inspire people to get on a bike.

"I have had so much support from people across Great Britain as well as fan mail from all around the world.

"That just makes me want to be faster, get an Olympic medal and give something back to all the people who have supported me."