Matthew Richardson responds to Track Cycling World Championships dismissal: 'I will co-operate fully'
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleMatthew Richardson has said he will co-operate fully with British Cycling after he was withdrawn from Great Britain's squad for the UCI Track World Championships on the eve of the event. The 27-year-old sprinter was removed from the 20-rider team on Monday after allegations of misconduct.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Track World Championships start in Shanghai on Wednesday October 14 and run until Sunday 18 October, 2026.
The Times broke the story that Richardson is under investigation over allegations of discriminatory behaviour. British Cycling has not yet given a reason for his withdrawal.
Richardson: 'I will co-operate fully'
Richardson responded in an Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon.
"I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships," he wrote.
"British Cycling has said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures. I will co-operate fully with its processes. I assure everyone that I will do so properly, and appropriately and with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected.
"Out of fairness to everyone involved, and on advice, like British Cycling, I will not be commenting further until any process is complete. I am deeply disappointed to miss the World Championships, and I wish the Great Britain team and every rider competing the very best.
"I ask that my family's privacy is respected at this time."
Richardson was sent home from Shanghai by British Cycling
British Cycling will not comment on the investigation
British Cycling does not comment on internal investigations. In a statement to The Times, the governing body said it treats any allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination extremely seriously.
It added that concerns are investigated through its established procedures, and that it would not comment on an ongoing process out of fairness to those involved.
A rematch between Lavreysen and Richardson was highly anticipated
Richardson's comeback blocked by allegations
Shanghai was supposed to mark Richardson's return to racing. He has not raced since a heavy crash in the final of a Keirin World Series event in Tachikawa, Japan, on 29 July. The injury ruled him out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow days later.
Richardson is one of the biggest names in the British track team. He won two silver medals at last year's World Championships and is the reigning European champion in both the sprint and the keirin.
He won three medals for Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics before switching to ride for Great Britain later that year.
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Rumours, speculation and guesswork: 2027 Tour de France route will be revealed live on October 22 in Paris
Vollering adds the Women’s European Championships road race jersey to her rainbow wardrobe
16-day Grand Tours, AI, VAR, drones and more: The UCI's new document has a potentially major impact from 2029 onwards
Quinn Simmons' Strava shows exactly what it takes to compete at the World Championships: ‘I said, Hey guys, anything is possible'
Despite losing the World Championships, Del Toro and Seixas rank high mentally and physically on the Pogačar scale
Latest Cycling News
Primož Roglič isn't sure whether he'll continue cycling, but his wife Lora has already spoken out.
The Tour de France responds to the UCI's radical Grand Tour plan; the Giro and Vuelta are also opting out
Jakob Söderqvist puts European Championships disappointment behind him and wins the Eneco Tour prologue
Visma's Lieke Nooijen takes the lead after just 3 kilometers of the Eneco Tour
British track star Matthew Richardson sent home before the Track Cycling World Championships for 'misconduct'
Popular Cycling News
The Tour de France responds to the UCI's radical Grand Tour plan; the Giro and Vuelta are also opting out
Primož Roglič isn't sure whether he'll continue cycling, but his wife Lora has already spoken out.
UAE and Del Toro explain Tour of Lombardy collapse with (very) few words: ‘ Proud of the efforts in Italy’
Il Lombadria Strava analysis shows 2026 Paul Seixas outshines 2022 Tadej Pogačar on the Civiglio
Not Laporte, but Per Strand Hagenes wins Paris-Tours for Visma | Lease a Bike
Latest Comments
- I’m still learning about these races—was the lamppost on the course, or did he hit it after going off the road? Either way, a frightening crash, and I hope his recovery keeps moving forward.julien13-10-2026
- That “streetlights can put up quite a fight” line is some gallows humour. Incredible resilience from Caudell and everyone helping him through rehab.cyclechamp4513-10-2026
- The ECMO details really put the seriousness of the crash into perspective. It’s good to hear he’s making progress, and I hope the cycling community continues to support his family.raceready713-10-2026
- Walking and communicating after injuries this severe is a huge milestone. Wishing Ezra and his family strength for the long road ahead.bikebuffj13-10-2026
- The rivalry brings in casual fans, but there’s plenty of racing beyond those two. Hope Van Aert gets a clean winter after that crash in Mol. Was Benidorm really the last time he beat MVDP?jeremya13-10-2026
- I’m still learning how the cyclocross calendar works: when do riders usually confirm whether they’ll race the Worlds? It sounds tough for organisers to plan around all this uncertainty.gearguru3313-10-2026
- Herygers saying no rider would rather babysit than race is a pretty daft take. If Mathieu’s family needs him, that’s obviously more important than any race.sprocketspiny13-10-2026
- Van Aert had a fantastic road season, but cross is a different beast. If he’s healthy, I can see him making an early statement—though writing off MVDP before we know his plans feels premature.cadencekingm13-10-2026
- The “king is dead” line feels premature. Pogačar has dominated this race for years, and one brilliant Seixas win doesn’t mean his reign is over. The article leans a bit too hard into the hype.patriciaw12-10-2026
- How does Seixas’s win compare with Gerbi’s in 1905? Was the race anything like the Lombardia riders face today?michael5412-10-2026
Loading