Steven Burke has one less chance than expected of winning a first ever senior World Championship track medal in Poland this week.

The 21-year-old Colne star was due to contest the individual and team pursuits.

But British Cycling bosses yesterday controversially withdrew their riders from the individual race in which Burke claimed an Olympic bronze in Beijing last summer.

A bout of food poisoning for several members of the pursuit squad is thought to be partly behind the announcement.

However, Burke will be delighted to strike team gold, especially after last year’s world championship failure in Manchester.

He didn’t finish the Scratch race and performed with only moderate success in the multi discipline omnium.

“It wasn’t good enough and I was bitterly disappointed,” agreed Burke, who will join teenagers Peter Kennaugh, Johnny Bellis and Ed Clancy in the team event.

“But it’s been a great 12 months since then with the Olympics and the European Under 23’s Championship.

“Hopefully, it should be a different story this time.

“I feel a lot more experienced, especially after what happened in Beijing.

“Now, I consider myself as one of the best pursuiters in the world.

“We’ve got a young team out here. If all goes well in the qualifiers, we can win the final.”