Cullen's focused on Euro

Despite missing out on a third World Championship title in Colombia earlier this summer, where he finished second in the Under-15s event, the 2012 and 2015 champion has refused to lie down and continues to perfect his skills in order to bounce back at the first opportunity.

And the European Championships in Verona on the weekend of July 8 to 10 is where the Preston Pirates youngster will get to show he is the still one of the ones to beat, while he hopes to clinch a seventh British Championship title later in the season.

“A big thing in my sport is consistency, as you can mess up by half-a-second and that will be the race gone for you,” said Cullen.

“I am going to keep practising hard, perfecting my technique through jumps and keep practising the basics because that’s what makes you a good rider. It’s what I need to do after finishing second in Colombia.

“Obviously, the European Championships is a one-day race and I am just going to try to stay calm, stay relaxed and make it to the final, 
give it my all and try to win the European Championship 
title.

“I came second in the world so I am extremely happy with my overall level, and staying on the podium.

“Now, we are looking forward to progressing through the season and winning some more 
medals.”

Cullen is one of 100 athletes on the 2016 SSE Next Generation programme, a scheme that identifies potential Olympic and Paralympic medallists of the future, providing them with financial help and mentoring from elite athletes like Olympic medal-winning diver Leon Taylor.

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