IAN Wilkinson is eager to make up for lost time when the Tour Series gets underway in the Isle of Wight tomorrow night.

The Team Raleigh GAC rider missed most of last season’s series through injury and illness and is determined to return with a bang this time around.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The Barnoldswick rider believes his Raleigh squad, which also includes Chorley’s Brad Morgan, can challenge for the overall title while the 36-year-old also believes he can taste individual glory over the 10 rounds.

“I can’t wait for the Tour Series,” said Wilkinson, who has been a member of the winning squad three times.

“That is generally my forte and I have generally done pretty well, finishing in the top 10 of 90 per cent of my races.

“Obviously last year I was out of action and I can’t wait to get back into it.

“Ultimately I would like a couple of stage wins and for the team to do well.”

Wilkinson knows that will not be an easy task with a host of squads, including holders Condor, vying for honours.

“I wouldn’t say we are a specialist criterium squad but we have a really rounded team and I think we can do well,” said Wilkinson of his squad’s chances.

“We have Morgan Kniesky who has won a World Championship on the track and that will serve him well. The track is repeated efforts and it is the same in a criterium as well.

“It won’t be easy though. There are a lot of good squads. The likes of Condor will be strong and I think there are a few squads that will have put an emphasis on this series.

“Team Wiggins are in it as well. I am not expecting them to be challenging but I could be wrong.

“They have guys like Any Tennant who is a very good rider in crits but perhaps the depth is not quite there for them.

“I want to compete in all the rounds and do well in them all. It is a race by race business at the end of the day.”

The Tour Series runs from tomorrow until June 11 across 10 venues including Barrow and Canary Wharf.

Each round will have an individual winner while the overall title will be decided by the finishing time of each team’s five riders being added together with the squad with the lowest cumulative time winning the round.

And Wilkinson is desperate to get out on the road.

He added: “It is a great series and goes from strength to strength. It is another one that will be on TV and it gives us another chance for us to show ourselves.

“I have been on the winning squad three times with Halfords, Endura and Team UK Youth and it would be great to get on there again with Raleigh.

“Having missed out last year I want to make an impression this year and get back amongst it.”