Monday 12 January 2015 13:56, UK
Steven Burke hopes to race at next month’s UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Paris despite breaking his collarbone in a training crash in Mallorca on Sunday.
The London 2012 Olympic team pursuit gold medallist fell heavily during a time-trialling session and was taken to hospital on the Spanish island, where a fracture was detected.
Burke is an integral part of Britain’s team pursuit quartet and is confident he can recover in time to retain his place for the world championships, which will be held from February 18-22.
Burke said: “I’m really disappointed to be injured at this stage of the season, but I have been in the gym today and hope to be back training on the turbo this week.
“I aim to be back on the track as soon as possible so that I can resume training for the Track Cycling World Championships at the end of February.”
Burke is one of the most experienced riders in the British team pursuit squad, having won one world title and three European titles in addition to his Olympic gold.
British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton said: “The accident on Sunday was unfortunate, particularly as Steve had been showing some great form of late, but these things do happen and we have an excellent team of people who will help Steve get back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Burke was announced last week as one of the riders on the riders on Sir Bradley Wiggins' new WIGGINS road team.
