Controversial Olympic cyclist Matthew Richardson, who has sparked outrage in Australia over his decision to defect to Britain, has announced his decision to join the rival team.
The 25-year-old Olympic silver medalist, who starred in the Keirin and Sprint events in Paris, was handed a lifetime ban by Cycling Australia on Monday following his controversial defection.
The move has angered some in Australia, with cycling fans branding him a defector after new details of his defection emerged on Monday.
According to an AusCycle investigation into his defection, Richardson is alleged to have withheld information from the governing body that he was planning to jump ship to join the British. It is understood he was aware of the defection prior to the Paris Games.
The governing body, which came down heavily on the dual citizen on Monday with multiple sanctions, also alleged Richardson had attempted to “bring AusCycling property, including a custom bicycle, cockpit and Olympic racing suit, to Britain.”
They added in a statement: ‘This represented an unacceptable risk to AusCycling’s intellectual property.’
The ban prohibits him from rejoining the Australian Cycling Team, accessing its resources or receiving related awards.
Controversial cycling star Matthew Richardson has opened up about his decision to defect from Cycling Australia to Britain
On Monday, the Olympic silver medalist was handed a lifetime ban by Cycling Australia
Although he is currently banned from representing GB at the World Championships or the Olympics until next year, he was able to compete in the Track Champions League this weekend
Although he is currently banned from representing GB at the World Championships or the Olympics until next year, he was able to compete in the Track Champions League this weekend, winning both the Keirin and Sprint events.
Richardson spoke further to SBS this weekend about his decision to defect to GB, with the 25-year-old explaining that he would have regretted the call later in life had he not made the move now.
“GB has always been something that has stuck with me since I was a kid,” Richardson said in an interview with SBS.
‘Ever since I moved to Australia and when I started racing for Australia it was always kind of a thought in my head that I could actually race for GB, so it’s stuck with me ever since.
“Now about halfway through my career, I thought this was probably a good time to do it, if I was going to do it. And I just thought that if I didn’t make the trade, I would regret it for the rest of my life.
“So here I am.”
He added that shorter flight times were a real advantage, compared to flying from Australia to Europe, before adding that he faced a number of challenges during the move.
“Coming here (Paris) was only an hour’s flight,” he said. “Super chill, instead of coming from Australia it takes two days or something.
It came after he turned his back on Australia to race for Great Britain and has now swapped a green and gold jersey for a red, white and blue top.
Richardson has also unveiled his team colors for the European UCI Track Champions League
“GB has always been something that has stuck with me since I was a kid,” Richardson said in an interview with SBS
‘It’s already reaping the benefits of that feeling. And it’s nice to be close to the race.
“The move obviously brought challenges, trying to settle into a new environment and a new team and all that, but it’s been quite smooth, I’d say.”
Speaking about his wins this weekend, he added: ‘It’s great (racing and winning in GB colours). I was really trying to take in the experience, but when the announcer called my name, representing Great Britain, it was such a special feeling.
“It really is a dream come true and to win every race tonight was more than I could have ever asked for.”
Richardson, meanwhile, has maintained a low profile on social media since being banned by AusCycle.
He posted a photo of himself racing in Paris wearing a red, white and blue cycling suit, with the caption: ‘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 Netherlands.’
The 25-year-old, born in Kent, England, went from Australian hero to public enemy No. 1 by announcing he would race for Great Britain in August.
Richardson competed as a track cyclist in the men’s Keirin, Sprint and Team Sprint at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Australians finished fourth.
Richardson has ruffled the feathers of some Australians, but claimed he would have great regrets if he had not made the move
The cyclist allegedly tried to take various items of equipment with him
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Kent-born 25-year-old claimed two silver medals in the men’s Keirin and Sprint, and a bronze medal 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.
In the wake of his ban, Richardson has taken to social media to show off his new national colors and team strip, drawing the ire of 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.”
While British fans were happy to see their new superstar strutting his new colors on social media, Aussies were less enthusiastic.
Australian fans attacked the cyclist on social media, with one calling him a ‘turncoat’ while another called him a ‘snake’
‘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.