EAST Lancashire Olympic gold medallist Steven Burke has joined top UK team Node4Giordana for the 2013 season.

Burke, who won a silver medal in last month’s team pursuit at the World Championships to go with his gold from London 2012, has signed for the British squad for the upcoming road season.

The 24-year-old is expected to feature in the Tour Series for his new side while also getting a chance to try his hand at more time trails. And Burke admits he is pleased to have his future sorted having left IG Sigma Sport in the winter.

He said: “It’s a good move for me and I am looking forward to racing again on the road. It is a strong squad and I am pleased to be part of it.”

Burke’s new sporting director Malcolm Elliott is also pleased to have added an Olympic champion to his ranks.

He said: “Steven is one of the few Olympians who is still riding professionally on the road in this country so it is great to have him on board.

“He will have quite a bit of freedom in terms of looking after his race programme. “He has been fully focused on the track and has perhaps not explored the road as yet so we will look to give him some experience in time trails and he will certainly be a key member of the team for us.

“He rode for us when we were known as Motorpoint so he is no stranger and it’s nice to have him back.”