Ex-Australian cyclist Matt Richardson says he will take part in a British Cycling misconduct investigation “with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected”.
The 27-year-old was this week axed from the Great Britain team for the upcoming world championships in the latest dramatic twist to his career.
He is facing serious allegations following a reported complaint from a fellow cyclist.
Richardson has already left China ahead of next week’s showpiece, missing another chance to come up against his former Australian teammates for the first time at a major event after being injured days before the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
Instead he appears to be fighting for his immediate future.
“I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships,” Richardson said.
“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’s partner Emma Finucane is on the British team and gunning to win another world title after dominating the Commonwealth Games.
The 23-year-old Welsh cyclist has not commented on Richardson’s situation, which drew the attention of UK Sport.
“We support the seriousness with which British Cycling is treating this matter and it is essential that proper and fair process is followed,” the government agency said.
“The highest standards of integrity and athlete welfare are non-negotiable when it comes to UK Sport’s commitment to winning well.”
Finucane was a factor in Richardson’s defection from Australia to Britain, motivated primarily by his ambitions to become the world’s best sprinter.
Richardson, wearing the green and gold, won two silver medals and a bronze in the sprint events at the Paris 2024 Olympics before sensationally switched allegiances soon after.
The Kent-born star’s showdown with former teammate Leigh Hoffman shaped as arguably the biggest story of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Richardson had stirred the pot in interviews ahead of Glasgow, saying the Australian track program was like high school and, by comparison, the powerful British system was Hogwarts.
Hoffman and his sprint teammates returned fire after they won team sprint gold in Glasgow.
“It would have been great if he stayed in Australia, but his heart was obviously never always in it — so good riddance,” Hoffman said.
— with AAP