Matt Richardson, the Australian cyclist who controversially quit to ride for Great Britain, has been withdrawn from their team for this week’s World Cycling Championships in Shanghai amid allegations of misconduct.
British Cycling confirmed the 27-year-old is in the process of leaving the squad’s base in China, without giving any reason for the decision.
The Times is reporting that Richardson is the subject of an investigation by the governing body into allegations of misconduct.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
British Cycling’s statement read: “British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.”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 sprint star, who switched allegiance from Australia to his birth nation after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, had been expected to win medals in Shanghai in the team and individual sprints, and the keirin.
The worlds begin on Wednesday and run to October 18.
Matt Richardson displays an Olympic silver medal from Paris, when he was cycling for Australia. Credit: AAP
After his defection a furious AusCycling looked into pursuing a two-year competition ban on Richardson but concluded it was not possible.
The national governing body, which accused Richardson of attempting to take Australian team gear and intellectual property (including his custom race bike and cockpit) with him to Great Britain, did ban him from returning to AusCycling, not that he has expressed any desire to do so.
Richardson was forced out of his highly-anticipated England debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year when he crashed in a keirin race shortly before he was due to fly to Glasgow.
Aussie comedian joins AFL stars take in brutal cycling challenge
1 min read
Historic Tour Down Under locked in on Seven and 7plus Sport
2 min read
