Jamie Popham calls it a day

Irish MTB racing suffered a blow this week when one of its most promising young riders, downhiller Jamie Popham, announced his retirement.

In a press release, Popham listed a number of reasons for the shock decision. Monetary conditions are a big factor, these including the controversial decision by the Irish Sports Council to exclude non-Olympic athletes from the International Carding scheme in 2006, plus the reduced funding for international teams. The lack of a private sponsorship deal has also made things very difficult. Popham stated that the lingering effects of a broken ankle suffered in 2004 has also played a part.

Popham was overlooked for a grant last year by the Irish Sports Council. He appealed the decision and was just one of nine Irish sports people to succeed in being re-awarded funding. However, while he secured €4,600, this was far less than the amount he needed to ride a full international programme last season.

‘I am disappointed with the result of the appeal as I had applied for an international grant of €11,500, which has been refused,’ he said at the time. ‘While the grant of €4,600 will help, the cost of my race season including the eight races of the World Cup Series in 2005 is approximately €20,000. This figure excludes all equipment. Some of the races are in Canada, Brazil and the USA and so, without some private sponsorship, my full race programme for 2005 is now in doubt.’

Popham’s junior results had showed him to be a real prospect for the future and indeed he and Ben Reid were described by former World Cup winner Steve Peat as strong talents. However it seems now, unfortunately, that his career has come to a close.