FLYING THE FLAG: Friends and fans of BMX star Shanaze Reade are backing the teenager to win gold at the Beijing Olympics – despite having to wait 24 hours longer to see her in action.

About 30 people turned up at Crewe's Limelight Club in the early hours of this morning to watch the world champion, pictured right, in action.

They were looking forward to watching the 19-year-old take on the world's best riders and toast her becoming Olympic champion.

But the crowd was left gutted when news filtered through that the BMX competition had been postponed for 24 hours because of heavy rain in Beijing.

Despite the delay, those close to the Crewe teenager believe she is still hot favourite to take home a gold medal.

Dave Stockton, manager at The Limelight, said: "Hopefully we'll have as many down here tonight to cheer Shanaze on. She's a good, local girl and you can tell how popular she by those who have turned out to see her."