CHORLEY’S Ross Cullen admits he is only now coming around to the surreal fact that he can call himself a double BMX world champion.

The St Michael’s Church of England High School pupil regained the world title he won in 2012 at the weekend in Zolder, Belgium, as he secured the 14 Boys category.

One of the perks of being the best on the planet for your age group is the ‘W1’ sign you fix onto your BMX.

But it is much more than a symbol for 15-year-old Cullen.

“I am looking forward to riding around with that W1 plate on again,” said Cullen, an SSE Next Generation athlete.

“It gives you a confidence boost when you look at your bike and think ‘I’m world champion’.

“Another good thing is that it makes you a target because people know I’m world champion and it forces you to work harder. I enjoy the challenge of having a target on my back.

“I’m really happy because all my hard work has paid off.

“It is such a surreal feeling when you consider what you have accomplished.

“It is a once in a lifetime experience – well twice.

“It gets you every time. It hits you and it is hard to describe because it is such an amazing feeling.

“I was walking around with a smile on my face for about three days. It is only just sinking in now.”

The pinnacle of his season may have now passed but the Preston Pirates rider is not resting on his laurels, with two rounds of the European Series, the British Series in Birmingham and the British Championships all to follow in the coming months.

Cullen, who competes at the 15 Boys age group at British level – a year higher, added: “I always go into events feeling confident [that I can win the event] and now that I have this W1 plate back on, I think it will give me a confidence boost.

“After this year’s events I am going to train hard in the winter and at the World Championships next year I want to retain my title.”

The 2016 Olympics will come too soon for this rising star but make no mistake about it; he plans to make the Games four years later and considering the start to his career, you wouldn’t bet against him.

Cullen said: “I’m definitely trying to get to the Olympics. I’m aiming for 2020 and 2024. That is my main goal.

“Being number one in the world makes you feel like you have got to the top but then you think ‘well have I?’ because there is the Olympics so if I make it to the Olympics then I know I will have reached the top. That is my super goal.”

n SSE’s Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen