TNT Sports
Matthew Richardson exclusive: 'I'm chasing a dream' - Track cycling star on shock switch from Australia to Britain
By
Published 22/08/2024 at 21:35 GMT+1
Track cycling star Matt Richardson, a standout at the recent Paris Olympics, has switched his allegiance from Australia to Great Britain, citing a deep connection to his birthplace. The decision, met with backlash in Australia, may lead to a two-year competition ban, though Richardson hopes it will be limited to the upcoming World and European Championships. The move is driven by a lifelong dream.
'I'm chasing a dream' - Richardson opens up on move from Australia to GB colours
Video credit: TNT Sports
Matt Richardson insists he considers Britain "home" and is now "chasing a dream" as he opened up to Eurosport about his shock switch from Australia.
Richardson, who won two silver medals and a bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, revealed he had changed his allegiance in a bombshell announcement last week.
It has prompted a big backlash in Australia, with their national cycling governing body suggesting they could enforce a two-year non-competition clause.
However, Richardson - who was born in Maidstone, England before moving to Australia aged nine for his father's work - is hopeful that he will only miss the next World and European Championships, per UCI rules.
"My understanding is the UCI regulations, what I signed in agreeance to swapping nations, which is I have to miss the first World Championship and European Championship and that's all," he told Eurosport's 'The Gruppetto' show.
Richardson continued: "Whatever else comes is out of my control. Wait and see what people are trying to cook up. As far as I'm aware, the rules and regulations I signed are just those two [events]."
Richardson admitted he had toyed with the idea of competing for Great Britain ever since he first pulled on Australian colours at the World Junior Championships in Montichiari, Italy in 2017.
"I looked over at the GB people and thought, 'I could have been there'. And I thought, 'hmm, this feels quite strange'," he said.
"I never hesitated once when racing for Australia at any competition in the last seven years, but that was the first thought of what could possibly be if I hadn't moved to Australia and I was racing for GB."
Richardson said that while aware of the potential benefits of competing for Britain, given their track cycling pedigree, it was not his primary motivation.
"Anything else that comes with it is a bonus," he continued.
"I've been in the sport long enough to understand that equipment makes a difference, possible race opportunities in Europe make a difference. But the underlying thing was it was just my dream. The main thing is that I'm chasing a dream."
It remains to be seen what, if any, ineligibility period will apply for the 25-year-old, with Richardson hoping to compete at the UCI Track Champions League, which starts in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines on November 23.
Asked if he had a message for AusCycling, he replied: "I have no harsh words or bitterness towards them.
"They supported me for my whole cycling career up until now and I really did give my best for them and brought home as many medals as possible, so I just hope they understand my decision and can appreciate everything I did for them as well."
He added: "Whenever I fly back into the UK, whether it's for racing or visiting family, I would come in and admittedly see rain and the cloud and the grey, but think 'this is home'.
"And every time I raced in the UK, whether it be Glasgow or Commies [Commonwealth Games] or Track Champions League, it would feel like a home crowd because I would have so many more supporters in the crowd, given all my family are still here in the UK."
Stream the UCI Track Champions League live on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement