Statement:

I’ve decided to announce my retirement from competitive cycling.

I’ve been racing for 27 years and have accomplished all my goals in winning World and Olympic titles at two cycling disciplines.

I now feel it’s time to pass the challenge on to the younger members of the Great Britain squad in the lead up to the London Olympics in 2012.

I feel that looking at the big picture I would struggle to compete with the best riders in the World at the London Olympics and be in a position to win the Gold medal again.

I wish to thank everyone at British Cycling for believing in me and giving me the best support an athlete could ever wish for. I especially want to thank Dave Brailsford, Shane Sutton, my coach Iain Dyer, my sponsors Sky + HD and all the support staff for being very professional, and being there when I needed them most.

I can honestly say that I have become a better person for being part of the British Cycling team and have had the time of my life, and for that I will be forever grateful.

I intend to stay within the sport of cycling as a coach. I am in the process of setting up a number of projects to help guide young athletes in the right direction and am also in the process of establishing my own bicycle company.

Over the last few years I’ve got involved with coaching young riders and I now feel that this is the direction I would like to take. Watching someone improve under your guidance is to me a wonderful thing, so if I can give the young riders of today a chance to compete at the levels I have then I would feel very proud.

I wish the team all the success in the future and have no doubt that they will be victorious in London.

If people wish to follow me in my new ventures then they can do so via my website at: Jamiestaff.com

I will be taking a short break from the racing scene, but will be back very shortly with my new and exciting ventures.

I also want to take this time to thank everyone who has ever helped me out in my career.

I am very happy and very content and so this is not a sad day.

Thank you,

Jamie

Well it’s finally here again.

Good luck to all the GB team. I spoke with some of them yesterday and moral in the camp is great.

It’s an interesting year being that we’re in the middle of the Olympic cycle, so some teams might still be experimenting and others trying to prove a point. Team GB has a good team with a mixture of experienced Olympic Champions (5) and new young and eager riders that are hungrier than ever to show their worth leading up to the London Olympics.

Nothing is written out yet though as team Australia have a very good Team Pursuit line up as well as Anna Meares and Shane Perkins in the sprinting events.

The Germans male sprinters led by Levy Maximillian will also be a major threat in the Team Sprint as well as the Match sprint and Keirin events.

Keep track of results on www.uci.ch  as results are updated very quickly. I won’t be able to post results on Twitter as I’ll be too busy waffling on Eurosport!

Enjoy the coverage on Eurosport, there’s going to be lots of it over the next 5 days.

Jamie

Well back again. Yesterday was exciting for the crowd; some great racing and maybe a surprise, but definitely well deserved win by the Germans in the Team Sprint.

GB rode well in man 1 and 3 but were unable to match the performances set by the French and German’s in the man 2 position. Kevin Sireau delivered a 2nd lap of 12.6 and then 12.7 in the final and then Levy Maximillian delivered a 13.0 and 12.83 in the final. Class act by all three teams, but the Germans coming out on top at the end of competition on day 1.

!st Germany 43.433

2nd France 43.453

3rd Great Britain 43.590

Sarah Hammer destroyed the competition in the Womens Individual Pursuit and won by a margin of over 3 seconds. Second place went to Great Britains Wendy Houvenhaghel and third place went to Vilija Sereikaite.

In the Womens 500 TT Anna Meares won convincingly beating Simona Krupeckaite and Olga Panarina respectively.

Awesome ride by Austrailas Cameron Meyer who completely dominated the oposition and won by a huge points margin at the end of the 160 lap Points race.

Britain’s Chris Newton came within 1 point of getting the bronze, but it wasn’t from a lack of trying! Very hard race and great to watch.

Thursdays action again didn’t disappoint the spectators. We saw a fantastic ride by Alex Rasmussen to take the victory on home turf. It’s interesting that the points race and the Scratch race were both won very convincingly by riders that did all the work early on in the race and so we didn’t see a huge bunch challenge for the line at the end.

Very exciting Womens Team Pursuit final with New Zealand taking the World Record in the run-off for bronze! The final saw Great Britain battling with Australia, a regular occurrence in track racing, but to see Australia taking a narrow margin win over the Brits to win the 3 kilometre race by half a second. both teams just fell short of beating the World Record set by New Zealand.

Womens Team Sprint saw Anna Meares again top the podium, but this time with her team mate Kaarle McCulloch after producing an outstanding time and new World Record over second place finishers China, who rode a very technically good and fast race themselves.

The most exciting race of the day saw Sir Chris Hoy win a convincing style, but not without early drama in the qualifying heats. In the first round Josiah Ng from Malaysia come off the start line too aggressive and knocked the Brit and Dutchman Roy Van Den Berg off their bikes. Unfortunately for Josiah he was disqualified for the move and had to cheer his team mate AWANG Azizulhasni who finished a close second behind Chris in the final. Last years winner Maximillian Levy seemed happy to take home the bronze medal from the Keirin.

More to come today…Friday.

Going to be supporting the village footy team tomorrow. Hope the weather isn’t going to be too bad.

Nice and early start today. Back to my first primary school which I attended when I was 5. I only went there for a year before my parents moved and so I had to move schools.

I have only a couple of memories from this school. One was rolling down the field in a red barrel which according to a teacher today, wouldn’t happen today because of health and safety!

My other memory was when I was sent to the classroom after kicking some kid who was trying to start a fight. The teacher made me take my shoes off and spend the whole lunch break with my shows off.

The school has changed a lot since I went there and so I hardly recognize it, but still it brought back some memories.

The kids were very patient (i signed autographs for 450 kids) and asked some good questions in the Q&A’s.

Thanks for a lovely morning.

St Marys Primary School, Ashford

When did you get your first get bike?

I can’t remember my first bike. I have a vague recollection that it was a 12-inch bike that was purple? But I can’t confirm that. My first “proper” bike was a blue and yellow Tuff Burner. It was my pride and joy. I think my parents got it for me the Christmas I was 9.

You won BMX titles in America did you enjoy your time over the pond?

I loved it. It was scary at first, but I had a dream and so I followed it. I’ve spent about 10 years over there and plan on going back there once my career here is done. My wife and kids are American. I love the weather and the attitude of people. They are positive people, and I always like to be around positive people. Did I mention the great weather!

In 2001 you changed to track cycling. Whats involved in training at the top level?

Lot’s of hard work. In today’s world, people try and get fame to get fortune because they are too lazy to work hard. In sport, it’s not a matter of being in the right place at the right time; it’s a matter of working hard but smart. When you do what you love doing, it seems easy, the hard work is a pleasure.

Do you get much time off from cycling?

Yes. I make sure that I do. It’s healthy to have a break. Luckily in sport, you can take time off or train at a lower intensity. When you’re working in tradition ways, you can’t always get that. After the Olympics I was burnt out and wanted a break from training and racing.

What is the best and worst thing about training for a competition?

The worst is feeling sick after intervals. The best: Every day I get to ride a bike really fast! I still get a buzz and have a grin because it’s so much fun. (Big kid)

When did you first get called up to Team GB?

In BMX I rode with a GB jersey, but it wasn’t until I moved from BMX to Track racing that I was paid a salary and raced with a GB suit. That was in 2002.

How did you feel when you won Silver in 2002 and again in the 2006 Commonwealth Games?

The CG is a little more fun than other competitions. In cycling, most of your major competitors are not there because they are not part of the Commonwealth, so even though you try to do your best, you know that it’s not as hard as it is in normal competition.

I am always happy to win a medal though, regardless of what event it’s at! I ‘m still proud of winning a badminton event at primary school!

What was it like to compete in the final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and win Gold in the team sprint?
You won’t believe this, but it was the easiest/ calmest race of my life! Why? Because I couldn’t of been any more prepared. I ticked every box so-to-speak and didn’t leave anything to chance. I knew I was in the best shape of my life, therefore I knew I couldn’t give any more of myself. If I would of lost, then I would of still be happy, because I couldn’t of done any more. Nerves and Anxiety come from not being properly prepared. If you prepare, you have nothing to be worried about. I just wish I found that out when I was 10!

How well do you get on with Team GB teammates Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny?

Really well. Chris is a great laugh and totally down to earth. The Sir thing hasn’t gone to his head and Jason is just a little kid. I have the utmost respect for him. When he puts his helmet on, he’s a different person. He wants to win so bad. I’m one of Chris’ ushers at his wedding this year and have to wear a Kilt; so that shows you how much I love him!

Are you looking forward to the 2012 Olympic Games being held in London?

Can’t wait. It’s going to be the most amazing event the people of GB will ever witness. It’s so magical. I urge everyone to try to go and see something.

Commuters will be able to travel to Stratford from Ashford on a high speed train named after you, how does that sound?

Pretty cool, I will be taking a sur-charge! I have yet to get on it. I’m still waiting for my free ticket!

The train link will provide great transport for those down in Kent. It just makes London that more accessible. I think it’s great for everyone.

Cycling in front of massive crowds must be a great feeling, what’s your favourite track/venue?

I have a few events that stand out in my mind. One was the BMX Worlds in Brighton on 1996. There must have been 5000 fans shouting at us as we raced round the track. Manchester Velodrome is always a hit. The Worlds were there in 2008 and it was fantastic. Beijing was also fantastic. The venue had marble on every wall and floor, very impressive and huge crowd for the Olympics.

In 2009 you was honoured with an MBE, were you surprised?

Not really to be honest. Every Gold medallist gets one, so we knew it was on the cards. It was still nice though when we got the letter. I feel very honoured.
You’ve been very successful and have had some great achievements but what are your remaining aims and goals?

I would like to give every child the belief that they can do something great too. You learn so much at such a late time in your career, there has to be a way to pass some of that knowledge down to the youngsters, and that is why I’m trying to establish a Cycling academy. I want to help others become successful.

Who were your role models in the sport?

My teammates. Every one of them is so dedicated. Especially Chris Hoy. He’s on a mission. I don’t see anyone stopping him before London.

How do you like to relax after a race?

It’s hard straight after because your adrenaline is racing. After the Olympics I didn’t sleep all night. I walked around the Olympic Village by myself! Normally the day after I race I like to hang out with my family and play with the kids if I can. Quite often though, we’re on a plane and travelling.

How often do you tweet on Twitter?

I try to do it often. Depends on what I’m up to. If I think I’m doing something boring, then I won’t bore everyone else with it! It’s cool though and nice to see what people are up to though. Twitter: Jamiestaff

How would you like to be remembered in the sport?

Someone who always tried his hardest, but at the same time enjoyed it. No point doing it, if you can’t have a laugh sometimes.

And finally what advice would you give to someone looking to take up cycling as a sport?

Go to Britishcycling.org.uk or Email me through my website :jamiestaff.com

There is lots of information on the British Cycling website and how to get into the sport. I will always help where I can too.

Well, it has probably been 18 years since I last had a go on ice skates and for some bright reason I thought I would volunteer myself to do a mile on the ice for Sport Relief.

My cousin plays for Bracknell Bees Ice hockey team and my aunt is always getting me to make appearences there. This time it was with 230 young kids on skates.

Their day began as a skating Jamboree, which is where they play a 3 minute game and then rotate to either time off or a skills session with some coaches. The kids were on the ice for 3 or so hours and I don’t know how they were still standing at the end of it. Every kid came off the ice looking completely shattered… and smelly!

So after playing hockey for 3 hours, they were then asked to skate 10 laps (1 mile) in aid of Sport Relief. Everything went very smoothly until the end when they let loose 230 balloons onto the ice for the kids to pop. Ice skates, Tired kids, Balloons = chaos!

Unfortunately there was one incident at the end where one of the kids got trampled on, but apart from that it all went injury free… I think?

On the Sunday I suggested that I would like to have a go in goal! I was lucky enough to find someone to lend me the kit, and after spending 20 minutes putting the stuff on I went on the ice in between the 1st and 2nd periods of the Bracknell and Basingstoke game.

Everyone thought I was nuts, but you have so much padding on, I didn’t see how it would be possible to get hurt to be honest.

I felt invincible, like I was 10 again. I must of had a grin on my face for the entire time I was in goal.

The organizers got two of the Bracknell Stingers team to shoot pucks at me for 4 minuts, but what felt like 10, as I was so knackered at the end of it. I have a lot more respect for Hockey goalies who have to spend an hour + stoppage on the ice.

I will try and find some pics for you.

Thanks for a great weekend  Bracknell Bees

Getting ready for the mile.

Let the Chaos begin!

Look at the skill!