HE admits he is unlikely to follow Bradley Wiggins’ route from the team pursuit to the Tour de France, but Steven Burke believes the Great Britain cycling squad will be inspired in London by their fellow Briton’s historic achievement on the Champs Elysees.

Wiggins became the first Brit ever to win the Tour de France as he cruised home in Paris on Sunday, with countryman Chris Froome second and Mark Cavendish winning three sprint stages.

Wiggins, who lives in Eccleston near Chorley and regularly trains in East Lancashire, will now link up with the Great Britain Olympic cycling squad as he prepares to compete in the time trial – bidding to add to his three gold medals from previous Games.

The 32-year-old won the individual pursuit on the track in 2008 ahead of bronze medallist Burke. He also claimed gold in the team pursuit, the event in which Burke will go for glory next week.

The Colne Cyclone had previously revealed an ambition to compete in the Tour de France later in his career but says now that he is unlikely to stray from the track.

At 24 this will already be his second Olympics and he seems likely to appear in more.

“I’m not sure I will get to a good enough level myself on the road,” Burke said.

“I have put all my focus on the track now and I want to compete at as many Olympic Games as possible.

“But it has given the Olympic squad a massive boost to see what has happened at the Tour de France, because it’s fantastic for British cycling. It’s a brilliant achievement for Brad, Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish.

“When the Sky team came together they said they wanted to win it in five years and they have done it in three years.

“But if you’d have said 10 years ago that a British rider would win the Tour people would have laughed.

“It does inspire us all to do well on the track. Obviously Brad was part of the track team and we all know him. It’s a fantastic achievement.”

Burke is currently with the Olympic squad in training at Celtic Manor in south Wales after being named in a five-man squad for the team pursuit. Geraint Thomas and Peter Kennaugh are also in the squad, having opted out of the Tour de France this year.

“They put the Tour de France to one side this year to concentrate on the track for the Olympics,” Burke said. “We’re grateful for that because they are good riders.”