Sir Bradley Wiggins has signalled his intention to compete in next May’s Tour of California in what could be his final road race before the Rio Olympics, after which he is due to retire.

Wiggins, who won the 2014 edition of the California race for Team Sky, has been focused on the track since the spring and last week claimed his first ever European title as he helped Britain to gold in the team pursuit in Grenchen.

But Team Wiggins – a squad launched specifically to help further Wiggins’s track ambitions – are set for an invite to California and the 2012 Tour de France winner said in the race’s official launch that he wanted to take part.

“The Amgen Tour of California brings the perfect combination of stellar competition, amazing scenery and superior organisation,” he said as the route was announced on Thursday night in San Diego. “I look forward to returning to the Amgen Tour of California with Team Wiggins to once again take on the top competitors in the sport.”

The final decision as to Wiggins’ participation could come down to Great Britain’s head coach, Shane Sutton, as the eight-day stage race, from 15-22 May, finishes only six weeks before the Olympics begin in Rio.

Wiggins left Team Sky after Paris-Roubaix in April and, though he scaled back his road commitments considerably, he raced in the Tour de Yorkshire, Prudential RideLondon and the Tour of Britain with Team Wiggins.