British track rider removed from World Championships and under investigation for "serious misconduct"
Cycling
British track sprinter Matthew Richardson has been withdrawn from the upcoming World Championships and is under investigation over reports of "serious misconduct".
The Track World Championships run from Wednesday until Sunday in Shanghai, and mark the start of the qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games - an important milestone for many riders competing at the championships.
Cycling Weekly reports that British Cycling confirmed his withdrawal from the championships after The Times reported that he was under investigation for "serious misconduct". No reason has been given for the investigation.
It's reported that the 27-year-old, who previously represented Australia on the track, had travelled with the team to Shanghai where was set to make a return from a crash in July in Japan.
A statement from British Cycling said: "British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China."
Matthew Richardson
Richardson opened up on July crash
Speaking this month ahead of his planned return, Richardson described the crash he suffered in Japan as he criticised a rider's action and admitted he felt lucky to be back in line to compete.
"If I had landed differently, I might not be walking now," Richardson told The Times.
"I was just lying there on the ground and it felt like my entire right side was on fire. But it could have been much worse. When you look at the crash, I think in some ways I should still consider myself pretty lucky."
"A line was crossed that day"
Claiming that a line was crossed by his competitor, he inferred that the move was intentional as he expressed his disappointment - labelling the crash the worst he has seen on the track.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet, but a line was crossed that day. We were aware of the risk: as international riders coming to Japan to compete in keirin races, we knew things could get rough. But there is a difference between riding roughly and intentionally taking a wider line to ram someone off their bike.”
“It is quite disappointing that something like this can happen in keirin races, that a rider decided to endanger the safety of another rider in that way. We understand the risks, but this absolutely went a step too far. This was absolutely the worst crash I have ever witnessed."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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