Aussie Olympic cyclist handed a lifetime ban by Cycling Australia for defecting to Great Britain as bombshell new revelation emerges

Former Australian Olympic cyclist Matthew Richardson has been handed a lifetime ban by AusCycle, with the governing body slamming the silver medalist after releasing a strongly worded statement.

On Monday, the Australian cycling body published its final review statement following an investigation into the events that led to Richardson’s defecting to join rival Great Britain.

The review took stock of how the 25-year-old, who won two silver medals in Paris, had acted in trying to leave the Australian team, with AusCycling claiming his actions were ‘contrary to AusCycling’s values, the Australian National Team and the wider cycling community.”

During their review process, AusCycling claims Richardson, born in Maidstone in Kent, also requested that he bring equipment and property belonging to the governing body to Britain.

AusCycle claimed this posed an ‘unacceptable risk to AusCycling’s intellectual property’.

‘After the [Paris 2024] But before announcing his decision, Richardson requested that AusCycling property, including a custom bike, cockpit and Olympic racing suit, be brought to Britain,” an AusCyling statement said.

It came after he announced he was leaving the Australian team to join Great Britain

AusCycling conducted an investigation into the situation and discovered that he had requested that Cycling Australia property be brought to Britain

‘This posed an unacceptable risk to AusCycling’s intellectual property.’

The organization also discovered that the rider had kept news of his decision to leave the Australian team secret from AusCycling and his teammates after learning he would be defecting to GB ahead of the races.

Richardson faced widespread backlash from many Down Under, including Australian Olympic cyclist Katherine Bates, who likened his split from AusCycle to the “breakup you never saw coming”.

She added that other riders felt “ripped off” by the move.

AusCycle subsequently imposed several sanctions on their former rider.

“Richardson will not be eligible to rejoin the Australian Cycling Team at any time in the future,” the agency said.

“He is also prohibited from using any substances associated with the Australian Cycling Team or its partners.

“Effective immediately, Richardson will no longer be eligible for AusCycling-related prizes.”

Australian cycling star Katherine Bates (pictured right) said the defection ‘blindsided’ the team and left some athletes feeling ‘ripped off’

Bates added that Richardson’s decision “didn’t sit well with her” after Richardson went through the AusCycling setup

The governing body had also tried to impose a two-year non-compete clause on Richarson, but claimed in the statement that such a ban would be ‘legally unenforceable’.

He cannot compete for Great Britain in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships until early next year.

“These decisions underline AusCycling’s commitment to the values ​​of the Australian National Team and our broader commitment to the principle of Win Well,” said Jesse Korf, executive general manager of performance for AusCycling.

“Integrity, respect and trust are fundamental to our team and our organization, and we remain focused on fostering an environment that upholds these standards.”

The governing body added: ‘AusCycling reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Australian cycling community and ensuring that all athletes, partners and stakeholders embody the values ​​of fairness, respect and collaboration.’

In August it was announced that the Aussie star, who is eligible to represent both Britain and Australia through dual citizenship, would defect to drive for Britain. jersey at the 2020 Tokyo Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Richardson ruffled the feathers of other Australian athletes, past and present, after sticking to his decision to swap the green and gold jersey for a red, white and blue cycling suit.

But he hit back at his critics earlier this year and explained why he had chosen to part ways with the Australian team.

Richardson faced widespread backlash over the move, but hit back at critics who claimed ‘it’s my life’

AusCycle subsequently imposed several sanctions on their former rider, including a lifetime ban

“I obviously understood that there would be a bit of bitterness around this decision, but at the end of the day it’s my career and my life,” he said. ABC.

‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It’s up to me whether I want to listen to it or not, and I clearly chose not to.

“Growing up, I saw the likes of Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny win gold medals at the Great Britain Olympics, and those kinds of memories really resonate with a child,” he said.

“It kind of burned itself into my head, and it’s stuck with me ever since.”

Bates, meanwhile, said she and many other riders were stunned by the decision.

‘There are a lot of people who just can’t believe it and some personally feel quite let down because they were blindsided by it.

Others feel a bit ripped off because supporting him over the years has come at the expense of supporting other athletes.

“I think the bond with your country is very strong, but when I say that, I’m not sure why he wouldn’t have made this leap years ago.

“It doesn’t really seem like a good idea to me that if that was the case all along, he went down this path with AusCycling.”