After representing Team Ireland at the Motocross of Nations for the past three years in an advisor/support role, Cailum Meara is no stranger to Motocross des Nations event. When it was confirmed that Ireland will not be sending a team to the 2025 MXoN at Ironman in the USA, Meara—like much of the Irish motocross community—was left disappointed, and frustrated. In this candid interview, Meara doesn’t hold back as he shares his reaction to the decision, the lack of communication from those in charge, and why he believes the nation must find a way to compete at the biggest event in the sport.
GateDrop: Cailum, as someone that’s been involved in the MXoN squad the past three years. What was your first reaction when you saw the statement that they won’t send a team to Ironman in 2025?
Meara: Yeah, it was kind of heartbreaking. I wasn’t that surprised because I’ve been hearing whispers, and I wouldn’t say I’m in the know but some people can’t hold their own piss we must say. I kind of knew it was coming to be honest, but I’ve been focusing on myself from really after the Nations last year. I just focused on myself, so it wasn’t really my place to say anything or put anything public but yeah now it feels it’s the time to try and get the whole motocross community together. I don’t think that we should all sit down and just let this slide that they’re not going to send a team to the biggest event of the year. We’ve done an endless amount of work over the years as far back as I can remember. Absolutely gutted and disappointed but look we’ll see how it goes.
One thing about being involved with Mark and the team that he does everything to absolute perfection, there was never one stone left unturned. He’s a businessman, a family man but most of all his love and passion for the sport of motocross in Ireland is bigger than all of us put together. The support he gives to events, riders and whatever else he can is second to none. I can now count myself so lucky that we crossed paths, and I can call him a very good friend of mine. But as everyone we all have a life outside of motocross and sometimes family and work commitments have to come first
GateDrop: It seems like they just posted the statement without letting the riders know and they weren’t consulted about the decision, which is quite disappointing…
Meara: That’s the biggest shock to me to be honest. You know, as I say I kind of heard whispers in this and no one was consulted about this. The Irish public weren’t consulted about this.
The riders weren’t consulted about this. The riders teams weren’t spoken to, and I think it’s an absolute embarrassment. I think it’s a massive step back and I think it’s a total disgrace that no one was consulted about the ongoing issue.
If they didn’t think they could raise funds, why were the riders not spoken to? Why were the potential riders for this year not spoken to? They’ve just sat back decided that they’re not going to send the team and it’s totally embarrassing to be honest.
There’s definitely people out there that can send a team to America without breaking it up. I know Philip McCullough doesn’t like me and I don’t like Philip as a person but at the end of the day you’ve got to give him respect.
I guarantee if Philip McCullough wanted to take a team to America this year that he would make it happen and do it with a big middle finger to everyone that says you can’t bring a team from Ireland to America this year. I guarantee you one million percent Philip would have a team on that start line. So yeah, there’s no reason why other people can’t but as I say it’s not going to be a lone soldier that’s going to be able to do this. Everyone has to do it together and keeping everything a secret from the Irish public isn’t going to help and then releasing this absolute ridiculous statement – I think it’s an absolute joke.
GateDrop: Martin Barr seems determined to still try his best to help send a team – which is encouraging, the riders will obviously want to go…
Meara: Of course, Martin’s going to be determined. It was his 18th time last year representing the country and of course he’s going to be determined. He’s not going to be the only one that’s determined to send a team to America. After finishing getting a race win in the EMX125 class last week in Arco – what a result it was for McCullough. Then you’ve got Glenn McCormick who’s still fighting for podiums now in the MX2 British Championship. You’ve got Jason who’s full time now. The riders want to go, and the real motocross fans of Ireland want to see a team there. I don’t see how Ireland cannot send a team to America.
GateDrop: Being part of the team, you know how expensive it is to put it altogether, it isn’t cheap but on the other hand, for one year they could probably make an exception and maybe not have the big awning, maybe have less passes per rider etc? The important thing is to get the management team, riders and bikes there…
Meara: Of course, I’ve been part of the event the past few years. It’s not cheap, everything’s going up in price. But as I said, no matter what it is going to cost, the money can be raised. Looking back at the past two or three years, Loughbrickland Motocross track and my family were the only ones that actually done any fundraising. Martin, Cole and Jason all attended these and the riders attended, they’d give kind donations and whatever else, but it shouldn’t be just left down to one person either to do a fundraiser.
Let’s get the riders picked early this year for a change… Get them picked and if the riders really want to go let’s put a bit of pressure on them. Yes, I know they’re competing in a race season and they have a lot of pressure themselves but at the end of the day they’re going to represent the country which is the biggest reward of all. In my eyes anyway being part of the sport over a number of years you know the dreams to ride with that flag on your back and ride with it proudly. I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to make it happen.
Why should a table of 8 people destroy our riders dreams of representing their country on the world’s biggest stage? It does not make sense in any shape or form; I have respect for everyone around that table just to make things very clear but why should they have the right to decide that our top riders cannot compete on the worlds biggest stage without even asking anyone about it?
This discussion about not sending a team has been ongoing a very long time and the motocross fans in the country knew nothing about it. About time there was some communication between the top table and the riders that are keeping the sport going. What about this… if no one is able to take Team Ireland to the MXoN in 2025, I WILL! I’m more than happy to take on this challenge to get our boys there this year and step back down to leave it to Adam if he isn’t able to do it this year.
GateDrop: Adam Lyons has been appointed but for 2026, I think that’s a good appointment as he obviously has experience. Have you spoken to him since the appointment and will you still be involved?
Meara: I see Adam’s been appointed for 2026 and I think it’s great. He has plenty of experience and was a great rider in his day. I haven’t spoken to him, but I wish him all the best. I’m sure he’ll do a great job but again I don’t think we should be skipping out the event in 2025. Why should a team manager be appointed at the start of 2025 but then we just skip a whole year and move on to 2026.
I don’t know who made that choice to skip 2025 but whoever’s choice it was, I think they really need to reconsider and realize that these riders are at the end of the day motocross riders. They are risking their life every time they get in the track and as I said Cole is having an amazing year, Martin again brilliant, Glenn McCormick’s fighting for podiums, Jason’s full time stepped up his game. Jack Meara, Lennox Dickinson, Lewis Spratt and Charley Irwin are all young riders that still have a fighting chance to make team Ireland in the very near future.
You know we’re pulling everything away from these riders that have worked for this – they put their whole life into it and their family sacrificed everything for it. Now we’re just not going to send a team to Ironman in America – it is an absolute total disgrace and let’s call a spade a spade. Whoever has made this decision and whoever has kept it a secret from the Irish public, from the riders – it’s about time to grow a set of balls and start talking to everyone. As I say it’s a big task to get a to get a team to America but at the end of the day it’s not impossible. Nothing is impossible and it’s been done many times before and 100% it should be done again this year.
