BMX star has hopes dashed on final leg
Despite finishing the fastest of all races in the third semi-final heat, the 19-year-old from Crewe succumbed to the pressure and clattered into gold medallist Anne-Caroline Chausson at the final corner.
Shanaze was the hot favourite to take home the gold medal. But instead of celebrating, she was this morning having X-rays on a suspected broken hand.
The world champion had brushed off a nasty fall to qualify for the semi-finals of the women's BMX and then crashed on her first time out in the semi.
Her friends, who had gathered in Crewe's Limelight Club to watch the BMX final in the early hours of this morning, said this would have knocked her confidence.
Aimee Sobutta, aged 22, who has known Shanaze for many years, said: "When she got through to the final we all thought she would do it, but I think she may have been worried about falling off again.
"She will be gutted. All her friends and family are proud of her, but it was herself she wanted to win it for.
"Shanaze has never had a big disappointment like this before. It may take her a while to get over it, but she is strong and determined and will bounce back."
The teenager, from Chetwode Street, started off well and was leading until France's Chausson overtook her.
Shanaze tried to cut inside her at the final turn, but clipped her back wheel and fell off her bike.
Many of those who turned up at the Limelight to watch Shanaze in action were members of the Cheshire Ghost Riders bike club, of which Shanaze is a member.
Warren Bancroft, aged 21, from West Street, Crewe, is friends with Shanaze and her family.
He said: "She had an awesome start, but then Chausson got in front and Shanaze went for it and clipped her wheel. But that's BMX for you.
"You make mistakes and learn from them. She's got the 2012 Olympics to focus on now. Nobody is disappointed with how she did. She will come back from it and be better for it."
Nine-year-old Chris Worrall from Crewe, who is also a member of the Cheshire Ghost Riders, said he couldn't believe Shanaze lost out in the final.
He said: "I really thought she would win gold. I really wanted her to win because she deserved to. She is a brilliant rider. Everyone at the club has been excited about watching her."
Kieran McAvoy, aged 20, from Booth Street, Audley, said: "She expected herself to win and so did everyone else.
"Everyone was confident she would do it. I think she panicked at the last corner. She wanted gold and she was going for it. That's the trouble with sports. She will come back fighting."
Dave Stockton, manager of The Limelight, said: "We're all proud of Shanaze. She qualified and she did her best.
"Everyone has enjoyed cheering her on and we will continue to support her in the future."
After the final Shanaze said: "I just caught the back wheel [of Chausson] and went over. But I put everything into this race.
"I gave it my heart and everything, but today it wasn't good enough.
"I gave it the best shot I had and I didn't have any more.
"I'm only 19, there's so much more to come from me as an athlete."
But she added: "I feel like I might not want to see my bike for a while."
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