HE MAY have missed out on victory in the latest round of the British BMX Series but Preston’s Ross Cullen insists the result only makes him more determined to bounce back next time.

Cullen came into rounds seven and eight at Peckham’s Burgess Park last weekend full of confidence, sitting top of the Male Under-15 standings.

Saturday saw him finish fifth while he appeared set for an even better finish on Sunday having progressed confidently through the rounds to make the final.

However, an error at the start saw his rivals get a jump on him, leaving him to eventually come home seventh despite battling defiantly.

Just one more weekend of competition remains in the Series this year with a double header in Staffordshire on the weekend of August 8 and 9.

But with the Preston Pirates BMX Club ace strongly placed in the overall standings, 14-year-old Cullen – who is riding an age group up – believes he is on track as he looks to eventually follow in the footsteps of 2013 British world champion Liam Phillips.

“The British BMX series is quite important because you’ve got a certain amount of rounds, your points from all the rounds are then added up,” said Cullen.

“It would have been pretty surreal to win the Series last weekend. When I don’t do as well as I want, it makes you want to come back stronger.

“I think riding up helps as you get to ride with the big older lads, chase them a bit more and gain some experience.

“If I follow on the way I’m going now, build up the British Cycling program, I want to be where Liam Phillips is at the moment. Racing the Olympic races, the World Cup races, winning them, I want to be one of the biggest riders in the BMX.

“To race for GB in the Olympics would be a dream come true. It’s something I’ve aimed for since I was little. Hopefully all the hard work will pay off and I’ll be at the top spot.”

Cullen has been busy riding all over both Britain and Europe in recent times, and is heading back to the continent on July 8 for the UEC European BMX Championships in Zolder, Belgium.

And while intense training, strength and conditioning and the right nutrition are all crucial in ensuring he is successful, Cullen admits it’s the thrill of simply being on the bike which gets his juices flowing.

“I can remember the first time I went to the track on my mountain bike, I was having a bit of a laugh and it just went from there. You get yourself a new family really, a BMX family,” he added.

“I chose BMX over all the other sports as it just clicked for me. It felt like it was something I could do.  

“It gives you quite a rush with all the jumping , the racing, and then even the training – you still get quite a lot of fun from even that. It’s a good thing to do.”

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