‘GB are putting money up’: Teammates defend Richardson’s switch

Former Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympian Chloe Hosking has defended the decision of fellow cyclist Matthew Richardson to switch his allegiance from Australia to Great Britain.

Hosking, who won the women’s road race at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, believes Australian cycling should use Richardson’s defection as a learning opportunity and review the way it funds and supports its elite athletes.

“I think that probably a huge factor in his decision-making was the support that will be offered,” Hosking said. “I think it’s no surprise to anybody – we know that the British track program is one of the best in the world.

“He’s obviously had conversations, done the research, and made the decision that’s where he’s going to be in the best position – whether that’s from a support staff, equipment, financially, and also the environment.”

The British cycling program received £29 million ($56 million) in government funding for Paris, the most of any British Olympic sport, and won 11 medals at the Games.

Richardson’s silver medal in Paris would likely make him eligible for individual funding, which comes from Britain’s National Lottery income and is distributed according to podium potential.

Matthew Richardson celebrates winning a quarter-final in the men’s sprint.Credit: Getty Images

Rule 41 of the Olympic charter stipulates that an athlete must wait three years after changing national allegiance before representing their new country at an Olympics, which might explain Richardson’s decision to switch so soon after Paris. He will not be eligible to compete at this year’s UCI World Championships in Denmark.

“This would not have been a decision taken lightly, so I understand it,” Hosking said. “From an athlete’s point of view, our careers are so short, we need to get the most out of them when we can. Nobody would ever burn a road cyclist [for] changing teams because they think that that’s the best move for their career. It’s so much more difficult for track cyclists.”

A committee member at Richardson’s original club, Midland Cycling in Perth, said his status as a sprint track cyclist had potentially made his decision to switch allegiances easier than it would have been had he been able to supplement his income with road cycling professionally.

Chris Van der Veen, who described Richardson as the best sprint cyclist Australia has produced, said that while he was sad to lose one of the club’s most noted alumni, he understood his decision.

“This is the difficulty with the sprinters,” Van der Veen said “They don’t have that ability to switch to the road like an endurance track rider.

“That’s why they have to go to Japan to race keirin, they’ve got to go to the US to race, and they’ve got to go and try and race in the European Championships, because there’s nothing here for them in Australia. They have to go to Europe somehow, and they have to try and find some money.

“So it’s very difficult. Matt’s in a very precarious situation financially here in Australia. I mean, as much as it’s hard to say goodbye to Matt, from that perspective, from being an ex-track rider myself, I get it.”

Van Der Veen said Richardson, who arrived at Midland having converted to cycling after showing promise in gymnastics as a child, had regularly spent long hours at the club’s training evenings inspiring children to follow in his path in the velodrome.

“In Australia, unfortunately, we’re unable to fund our bike riders, especially from a velodrome perspective,” Van der Veen said. “The guys who are racing track, there’s no financial incentive for them. Here in Australia, there’s no way they can monetise their ability, whereas in Europe, there’s a lot more ability to do that.

“And GB are putting money up, which Australia can’t, so you can understand that he’s got to make his way. He’s got to be a breadwinner at some point, doesn’t he?”

The Australian Olympic Committee acknowledged Richardson’s change of allegiance on Tuesday.

“Matthew Richardson’s success in Paris is a great credit to him, his support team and AusCycling. While disappointed to learn he will now ride for Great Britain, the AOC wishes him well,” a spokesperson said.

“The AOC would like to thank AusCycling for its work in developing Matt into one of the world’s best track sprinters and congratulate Matthew on winning three medals for Australia.

“We look forward to seeing the AusCycling team continue to develop and assist Australian cyclists achieve their Olympic dreams.”

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