DOUBLE Olympic champion Steven Burke and top UK professional Ian Wilkinson are both eyeing a golden summer when cycling’s Tour Series kicks off in Scotland next week.

Colne ace Burke and Barnoldswick’s Wilkinson are both taking part in the summer series with the first of 11 rounds getting underway in Kirkcaldy on Tuesday.

Burke is sitting out the opener but Wilkinson is likely to be on the start line for the race which will be covered by ITV Sport.

Both riders have new teams for 2013 with Burke moving from IG Sigma-Sport to Node4Giordana and Wilkinson leaving Rapha to join Team UK Youth. And Burke, who won gold at London 2012 as part of the men’s individual pursuit squad, is excited at the prospect of competing in the series having spent much of his career to date concentrating on the track.

“The Tour Series is such a popular event now that is a good event to take part in,” said Burke.

“I am coming in for round three in Stoke just because of my training regime at the moment.

“I am looking to do the National 10mile Time Trial Championships in Norfolk on May 26 so I have been training specifically for that.

“But with the crowds that the Tour Series gets it will certainly be good to ride in them.

“The team have a good record and we will be looking to get some good results over the summer.”

Node4 were fifth overall last year in the series but won the event in 2010.

Meanwhile, Wilkinson, 33, is an experienced road racer on the UK circuit and is likely to be one of Team UK Youth’s leaders in the series. The squad finished third last year.

The Tour Series has 11 rounds with the top three riders from each team scoring points towards the overall championship which concludes at the end of June following the final round in Ipswich.

Each race lasts approximately 60 minutes plus five laps.