Aussie cycling community ‘shocked, deflated’ by Matthew Richardson’s surprise defection to UK

The Australian cycling community has been left blindsided following the disheartening news that a silver medallist will now compete against them.

Silver medalist Matthew Richardson poses on the podium after the Men's Keirin, Final on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Australian cycling community has been left blindsided following the disheartening news that Matthew Richardson, one of the nation’s brightest cycling talents and a Paris 2024 medallist, will now represent Great Britain in international events.

The 25-year-old, who born in England but raised in Perth, has decided to switch allegiances despite winning silver in the men’s keirin and men’s sprint for Team Australia.

The move has sent a shockwave through the Australian setup, with leading figures saying cyclists Down Under have been left “deflated”.

Australian legend and former Olympic cyclist Scott McGrory expressed the widespread disappointment during an appearance on Nine’s Today Show.

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“Most of the cycling community, especially those of us who are close to the program — and me as a commentator at the Olympic Games for Channel 9 — are shocked,” McGrory said.

“We are feeling very flat and quite deflated at the moment.”

McGrory said Richardson’s rapid rise in the sport had lit a fresh fire underneath Australia’s cycling team after coming second to powerhouse Harrie Lavreysen in Tokyo.

But now, his former teammates will have to compete against him.

“If you go back three years ago to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, [Richardson] finished 22nd [in the men’s sprint]. He was second behind Harrie Lavreysen in Paris, who is going on to be the greatest of all time in his discipline possibly,” McGrory said, admitting that Richardson’s decision felt like a personal blow to many.

“We get emotionally invested in these athletes... I’ve been there myself, so we go on the journey with them. So when something like this happens, it really is deflation, and we are very shocked,” he continued.

The 25-year-old, who born in England but raised in Perth, has decided to switch allegiances.

Richardson’s move has also drawn attention to the financial challenges facing Australia’s track cycling program, particularly in comparison to better-funded nations like Great Britain.

“It’s really unfortunate for our track sprinters in particular because they don’t have the opportunity to go on a professional road team and ride the Tour de France... They are typically dependent on government funding as full-time athletes,” McGrory said.

“There are a lot of other factors to this, but it is a little bit sad that we couldn’t offer more financially to hold onto our very best athlete”

Richardson’s departure could now be met with a two-year ban.

He will not compete at the October world championships, as AusCycling considers pushing for a longer non-compete clause.

“There’s disappointment around the decision and the process and not knowing around Matt’s circumstances,” AusCycling high-performance boss Jesse Korf said.

His former teammates will now have to compete against him.

“The non-competition duration and clauses, that is being interrogated and looked into at the moment together with the UCI (cycling governing body) and ASC (Australian Sports Commission).

“That is something that we would have to discuss internally because we obviously have a big say in that and we need to review that.

“On that same token the AIS-slash-ASC is a big stakeholder in that they provide a lot of the funding. So that would have to be a conversation to get to a joint decision before we can share that and start a conversation with UCI and Matt and British Cycling.”

Richardson said the decision had been a difficult one but that he only came to the decision after considering his “career and future”.

“It’s not something I decided on quickly or easily,” Richardson posted on Instagram.

Matthew Richardson said it wasn’t an easy decision.

“I deeply respect Australia and the Australian Cycling Team, and it will always be a part of who I am. As this new chapter in my life begins, I would like to sincerely thank the coaches and support staff who have worked with me over many years in Australia.

“Special mention to Midland Cycle Club, WAIS and AusCycling, with personal thanks to the two biggest coaching influences in my career — Clay Worthington and Matt Crampton. I want to say a huge thank you to my teammates for everything we’ve been through together. You’ve been there for the highs and the lows, and I’m so grateful for all the support, laughter, and hard work we’ve shared.

“But this decision is about following my passion and pushing myself to new heights. This isn’t about leaving something behind, but about embracing a new chapter in my journey and chasing a dream, a dream that is to race for the county in which I was born.

“I hope you can understand and support me as I continue to give my best in the sport I love.”

Originally published as Aussie cycling community ‘shocked, deflated’ by Matthew Richardson’s surprise defection to UK