Steven Burke is aiming to return to Britain’s team pursuit line-up in time for the 2015 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
The British Cycling Olympic Podium Programme athlete broke his collarbone on 11 January, crashing while training on the road in Majorca.
Waiting a further two days to undergo surgery with his preferred doctor, Burke says the decision has already paid dividends, with a two-inch scar the only remaining visible damage.
“Things are going better than I thought they would,” an upbeat Burke said.
“The collarbone is now straight and I’ve hardly any pain in that area so it’s back in training on the turbo.
“I’m not allowed on the road yet because it may weaken, so I’m doing plenty of efforts, double days on the turbo and gym sessions as well.”
Next week Burke travels back to Majorca to be in the team environment and hopes to ride with the squad for the first time on 2 February with the world championships starting in Paris on the 18 February.
“By the time I get back (from Majorca) at the start of February I’ll be back on the track so it looks like I won’t miss out on any track training in preparation for the world championships so I’m very pleased about that.
“I’ve just got to rely on turbo training now to get me in the best shape possible and everyone is quite confident I can do that.
“I’ve been going quite well since the camp in Tenerife before Christmas; I felt like I had really moved on and I’ve done plenty of endurance work leading up to the crash so I don’t think I’ve missed out on too much fitness.
“Essentially I’ve missed five days off the bike, it’s a little bit of catch up that can’t be helped. I’m doing everything I can now to get myself in the best shape possible for February 18.”
Between now and then Burke is focussing on every detail, in order that he returns in the best shape – along with help from the team’s support staff.
“I’m really looking after my diet, my sleep, everything. I think I’m doing that really well so far and long may that continue.
“The support staff have been fantastic – doctor Richard Freeman and nutritionist Nigel Mitchell – they’ve been fully supporting me."
