TALENTED young BMX rider Ian Rooke faces the ultimate test when he pits his skills against the world best in Argentina this month.

The 13-year-old from Gunnislake — who is currently number one in England and number four in Europe — is heading to South America for the world championships. But before that, this weekend, he will be in France defending his position in the European Championships.

Proud parents Jackie and John Rooke have seen their son rise through the ranks since a neighbour took him along to a BMX meeting at Brentor when he was six.

'He won the regional BMX race just after joining the club. After he had been in the club for eight weeks he went to his first national race and got fourth place in the whole country,' said Mrs Rooke.

But while the Callington College pupil has enjoyed the thrills that have taken him to Australia, Switzerland, Holland, Germany and France he has also had a few spills.

A recent injury, when he broke his elbow at the BMX Bournemouth National on June 10, looked like laying him low — but laser treatment from a specialist at Ipswich saved the day.

'Within four days he was back on his bike doing a paper round!' said Mrs Rooke.

'This year he is leading the National Series. He has had two wins and two seconds — and when he fell off in Bournemouth he came last. There were 13 broken bones that weekend.'

Mrs Rooke said while the forthcoming French course was 'a nice flowing track', the Argentinian one was a 'very technical' track with lots of jumps in it.

Being a top BMX-er is a rewarding if costly sport. Mrs Rooke reckons the family spends some £6,000 to £8,000 a year supporting Ian. 'He has a multi-gym at home which was his birthday present.'

He has been awarded a training grant for £150 from Sports Aid South West.

'We have had £700 for sponsorship for Ian. There is a lot of good will from people that are happy to help support him,' said Mrs Rooke.

'Ian is being picked for the England squad and has to go to Reading for training once a month. It all adds up.'

But the training has paid off. Ian has been British champion four times, and regional champion eight times.

At six he was a relative late-comer to the sport with lots of children starting by their fourth birthday.

'He is very determined. He loves to win and he does like the travel. And he also likes the time off school!' says his mum.

She says her son has so far collected sufficient silverware that dusting the trophies is a full-time job.

'Ian's ambition is to make it to the world finals. He has been in the semi-finals four times — but he is desperate to make the finals,' said Mrs Rook.

With the world championships in Australia in two years time, Ian feels it may be his last big competition because of GCSEs.

In the meantime he is hoping to make his mark in France and Argentina.