Matthew Richardson withdrawn from Great Britain team before Track World Championships as British Cycling release statement
Updated 13/10/2026 at 10:28 GMT+1
Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain team for the 2026 Tissot UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai. The 27-year-old was a medal contender in the team and individual sprints and the keirin.
'I'm chasing a dream' - Richardson opens up on move from Australia to GB colours
Video credit: TNT Sports
British Cycling announced his withdrawal a day before the world championships begin following allegations first reported by The Times that he is under investigation for misconduct.
”British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain cycling team squad for the upcoming 2026 track cycling world championships in Shanghai, China,” a statement said.
When initially approached by The Times with allegations of misconduct, British Cycling said: ”British Cycling takes any allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination extremely seriously.
”Where concerns are raised, they are investigated thoroughly through our established procedures.
”Out of fairness to anyone involved in an investigation, we would not comment on any ongoing process.”
The track world championships run from October 14 to 18 at the Shanghai Velodrome in China.
Richardson switched allegiance from Australia to Great Britain after the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won two silver medals and a bronze.
When asked about his change in allegiance, Richardson said: ”I grew up watching Chris Hoy race on the TV.
”Whenever I’ve raced in the UK, it felt as though I was racing in front of a home crowd.
”It made me think: ‘What would this feel like if I was racing for Great Britain?’ That’s something I want to find out. I want to chase that feeling.”
Great Britain finished second behind the Netherlands in the medal table at the 2025 Track World Championships.
However, they will be without reigning Madison world champion Katie Archibald and Olympic team sprint champion Katy Marchant this year, with both having retired earlier in 2026.
Emma Finucane and Sophie Capewell will be hoping to reclaim their world title, with the former arriving at the event after winning four gold medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
In the men’s events, Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallist Harry Ledingham-Horn will be targeting a world title in the team sprint.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Watch and stream elite cycling, including the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and La Vuelta, with TNT Sports on HBO Max
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement