- Raced for Australia at two Olympic Games
- Defected to the country where he was born
- Has unveiled a new uniform, confusing the Aussies
The Australian cyclist who defected to Britain has unveiled his new team colors and was slammed in the comments section for his troubles.
Matt Richardson went from Australian hero to public enemy number 1 by announcing he would now race for Great Britain.
Richardson represented Australia until August this year and competed as a track cyclist in the men’s keirin, individual sprint and team sprint at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Australians finished fourth.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Kent-born 25-year-old won two silver medals in the men’s keirin and sprint, and bronze in the men’s team sprint.
He then shocked Australians by making this announcement his decision to switch nationalities and compete for Great Britain, citing personal reasons and a desire to pursue new dreams.
The move was approved by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and following his defection, Richardson competed against Great Britain in the UCI Track Champions League three days ago, winning the men’s sprint and keirin finals in France.
Richardson celebrates winning a silver medal for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics
The Aussie defector has now unveiled his Great Britain riding uniform after defecting from countries
AusCycling has banned Richardson for life from representing Australia, citing his conduct before he defected, including withholding information about his transfer and requesting that he take AusCycling property to Britain.
The ban prohibits him from rejoining the Australian Cycling Team, accessing its resources or receiving related awards.
In the wake of the ban, Richardson has taken to social media to show off his new national colors and team strip, angering Australian sports fans.
Richardson said the design of his new uniform was “really cool.”
‘Red, white, blue, super beautiful. Also fits the legs. It’s cool to finally be in it.
‘After watching the riders race for the past three years, it’s a bit of a strange feeling.
“But it’s cool and definitely a 10/10 for me.”
He also posted on his personal Instagram account after his first race for Great Britain in France.
‘Dream start of the @ucitcl in Paris! A tough night there with what felt like a lot of pressure to perform. There’s still a long way to go, so we’re just taking it race by race. Next stop the Netherlands,” he said.
While British fans were happy to see their new superstar strutting his new colors on social media, Aussies were less enthusiastic.
Richardson has also unveiled his team colors for the European UCI Track Champions League
‘Barred from Australian Cycling for life. You can’t get respect and integrity back,” wrote one Australian supporter.
‘It’s his choice, but he will have questions about his loyalty and ethics throughout his career. Given the support of Australian cycling institutions and his existing record representing Australia. Personally I don’t think this is the right thing to do but he has to live with it,” another added.
“Defector confirmed and banned,” shouted yet another.
“I would have just sold it on Facebook marketplace,” another said of the uniform.
‘Absolute [snake emoji]another posted.
However, those Aussies receive little sympathy from British fans.
“Ah, so happy to see you in British colors – they look good on you,” one person posted on his video unveiling the GB uniform.
“What an upgrade,” another posted with a fire emoji.
Richardson will next compete in Round 3 of the UCI Track Champions League on November 30, where Apeldoorn in the Netherlands will make its debut as a venue on the tour.