Team GB cyclist Matthew Richardson has been sent home from the World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai over allegations of misconduct.
Richardson, 27, switched allegiance from Australia to Britain after the last Olympics and had been expected to secure three medals in China this week after declaring himself the fastest cyclist in history.
Now instead he is in the process of leaving the country. The Times reported that ‘evidence of Richardson apparently making discriminatory remarks about people from minority backgrounds and even joking about his use of the N-word’.
Richardson is one half of Britain’s cycling golden couple. He is in a long-term relationship with Emma Finucane, the star of Great Britain’s women’s team.
A British Cycling statement read: ‘British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.’
Last week, Richardson said he has received no apology and is ‘lucky’ to be walking after being wiped out by a rival before the Commonwealth Games.
Matthew Richardson has been withdrawn from the World Track Cycling Championships
Richardson’s partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, who is also out in China
Richardson was slammed off the track by Japanese cyclist Kento Suzuki while competing in the Keirin World Series in July, leaving the velodrome in an ambulance.
The 27-year-old won gold for Australia in 2022, before ‘defecting’ to England, claiming it was like ‘Hogwarts’ compared to ‘High School’.
He was favourite to retain his gold in Glasgow but never got to take part after the horrifying crash, which the Aussies made fun of.
Richardson was unable to walk for four days after coming away with a broken scapula and a heavily bruised hip.
More to follow.
Richardson and Finucane have joked about being ‘the world’s fastest household’ on the track
Richardson poses in a Union Jack flag after switching allegiance from Australia
Richardson’s hopes of competing at the Commonwealth Games were ended in Japan
