WIRRAL Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman has stepped down from his role as pundit on ITV's Tour de France coverage.

The 49-year-old from Hoylake, who won gold for Great Britain at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and three Tour stages, made his announcement following Sunday's Tour finale which saw Welshman Geraint Thomas triumph and claim the famous yellow jersey.

A champion for safer cycling on roads, Chris will concentrate on the task of creating a network of walking and cycling routes in Greater Manchester.

He was appointed to the new role of Greater Manchester's commissioner for walking and cycling last year and will be working with Mayor Andy Burnham to provide 15 miles of new routes including a Dutch-style protected cycle way.

Chris told the Globe: "Whether riding, or talking about other people riding, I’ve work on the Tour de France, the most remarkable sporting event on the planet, for most of my adult life.

"I wore the fabled Yellow Jersey on a few occasions, had the chance to ride onto the cobbles of the Champs-Élysées in the middle of a Tour peloton.

"While both experiences were memorable, my fondest recollections have been on the other side of the fence.

"From 2003 I have worked with a marvellous group, covering this great race for ITV.

"Each year we worked our way around France, covering the exploits of the riders. It has been a wonderful 20 years but it did come at a cost.

"I’ve missed nearly all of my son Oscar's birthdays and only once had the chance to watch this great race on TV with my dad.

"I have also neglected the Cycling and Walking Commissioner role I took on in Greater Manchester, where Andy Burnham and I are trying to make cycling a true choice for GM residents.

"So while it’s been an absolute privilege to be part of this unique spectacle, it is now time to hand the baton on and take a step back, become a spectator again."