David Weir will have to wait until next year in his bid to clinch that elusive record-breaking seventh London marathon wheelchair title.

The 36-year-old from Wallington, known as the ‘Weir Wolf’, was beaten in a thrilling three-man sprint finish down The Mall by Switzerland’s Marcel Hug in Sunday's T53/54 class race.

Hug, who triumphed at Boston marathon two weeks ago, claimed his second London title in one hour 35 minutes 19 seconds.

Weir, the six-time Paralympic gold medallist, went into his 17th London appearance on a back of a fourth place in Boston and was understandably disappointed.

He said: “I’m alright after racing two marathons, but I feel a bit sore.

“I thought I was in a good position, but I just didn’t have anything left.

“Some of the speeds Marcel was pushing were unbelievable, another level and he’s an amazing athlete.

"It’s probably one of the toughest London marathons."

He added: “I try not to think about the seventh win. I should have won it last year.

"If I was getting any slower, I wouldn’t be sprinting at the end with the top three in the world.

"The field was so strong that everyone can claw you back. That’s the strength and depth in wheelchair racing.”

And Weir reckons the benchmark has already been set for him for this summer’s Paralympic Games in Rio where he will be bidding to add to few more golds to his impressive medal collection.

“It’s a good marker to see what I have to do in Rio,” Weir added.

“If I was way back and couldn’t sprint at the end, I would think I was too old and past it.

“But everyone is beatable in Rio. Anyone can win on certain days. Track is a different ball game and Hug’s the one to beat.

“I’m going to have a few days off and taper the mileage down. Next I’m going to race in Paris and then the London 10k and Europeans.

"My focus will then go to track racing and June and July will be training training training.”