Three-time Olympic medallist Steven Burke MBE has today announced his retirement from the Great Britain Cycling Team, calling time on his 14-year long international cycling career.

Burke was an integral member of the team pursuit squad who claimed the gold medal in both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and in Beijing 2008 he won bronze in the individual pursuit at just 20 years of age. In addition to his Olympic medal collection, Burke has won three elite European titles and one elite world title during his extensive career.

Performance Director Stephen Park commended Burke on his successful cycling career, saying: “Steven Burke is an incredible rider and has been a mainstay of our team pursuit squad in both the academy line-up and the podium line-up, where he won two Olympic gold medals and broke the world records that stood at that time.

“Even in his junior and under-23 days on the squad, Burke was up there winning medals for the team on the international stage. In 2008, he was a reserve rider on the Olympic squad and he was able to step in and turn this into a bronze medal at such a young age which is applaudable and a sign of Steve’s tenacity as a bike rider.

“On behalf of everyone on the team, riders and staff, I’d like to congratulate Steve on his achievements and wish him well in the next stage of his career. He leaves the Great Britain Cycling Team knowing that he has done our jersey proud.”

Steven Burke said: “Firstly, I would like to thank all of my team mates throughout the Great Britain Cycling Team. I have enjoyed working with them all. It has been an epic journey achieving Olympic gold with Geraint Thomas, Brad Wiggins, Pete Kennaugh, Owain Doull and Ed Clancy and I will look back on some great moments with them.

“I would also like to thank all of the support staff at British Cycling, from the past to the present. It has been fantastic to be involved with such a world-class outfit.

“Although I have retired from international duty and looking forward to new challenges, I still plan to race in the Six Day events, help out the local riders in Team SB Hub and Cycle Sport Pendle, and to ride my bike for years to come.

“Looking back on my career, I can only be proud of becoming an Olympic, world and European champion, achieving all I’ve wanted to in red, white and blue with my mates. I am forever grateful to my family, girlfriend, close friends and everyone who has helped me over the years.”