Sir Chris Hoy is planning a competitive comeback in 2016, with the Le Mans 24 hours race the target rather than the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

The 38-year-old is Britain’s most decorated Olympian with six gold medals, including two at London 2012 and won 11 world titles.

He announced his retirement in April 2013, but his passion for motor racing and competition will be fulfilled after agreeing a deal with Nissan, which will see him compete in the 2014 British GT Championship.

The Scot, who won his first Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004 and a clean sweep of three four years later in Beijing, is now aiming to transform himself from sprint track cyclist to endurance racing car driver.

Hoy will race in a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, partnering Alex Buncombe in a seven-weekend series which begins at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit on Easter weekend (April 19 to 21).

“It’s the start of a new journey for me,” Hoy said.

“It might sound ridiculous right now, but my ambition in motor sport is to compete at Le Mans in the 24-hour race.

“Who knows if that’s even remotely possible, but that’s my dream. I’m in the right place to do it.

“There are fantastic people here who have the right experience, so if I can do what they tell me to do, listen to them and develop, then it may not be a ridiculous dream.”