GB withdraws sprint cyclist Richardson from world championships

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Matt Richardson, who switched from Australia to Great Britain, has been withdrawn from the GB team for the World Cycling Championships in Shanghai.

Matt Richardson, the 27-year-old sprint cyclist who defected from Australia to Great Britain after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been withdrawn from the GB team for next week's World Cycling Championships in Shanghai. British Cycling confirmed that Richardson is in the process of leaving the squad's base in China, stating: 'British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.' The governing body did not give a reason for the decision.

The Times reports that Richardson is the subject of an investigation by British Cycling into allegations of misconduct. Richardson had been expected to win medals in Shanghai in the team and individual sprints and the keirin.

Richardson's defection from Australia prompted AusCycling to investigate a potential two-year competition ban, but the organisation concluded this was not possible. AusCycling accused Richardson of attempting to take Australian team gear and intellectual property, including his custom race bike and cockpit, with him to Great Britain. AusCycling banned him from returning to the organisation.

Richardson was also forced out of his England debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year after crashing in a keirin race shortly before he was due to fly to the event.

How it is being reported

• GB axe Richardson from worlds amid misconduct reportsMatt Richardson, the sprint cyclist who defected from Australia to Great Britain, has reportedly been axed from the GB world championship team for misconduct.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 18:16
• GB axe Richardson from worlds amid misconduct reportsMatt Richardson, the sprint cyclist who defected from Australia to Great Britain, has reportedly been axed from the GB world championship team for misconduct.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 18:16

In this story: Matt Richardson · Great Britain · Australia · British Cycling · Shanghai · AusCycling

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