British cyclist Matthew Richardson has broken his silence after being dismissed from the Cycling World Championships amid an investigation into his conduct.
The Olympic medallist, 27, said on Instagram he is 'deeply disappointed' to not represent his nation at the competition in China.
He said: ' I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
'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.'
Richardson's exit has sent shockwaves through the cycling world, with his 23-year-old cyclist girlfriend Emma Finucane welcoming her parents to Shanghai ahead of the competition.
Her brother, Sean, 21, told the Daily Mail of his family's 'shock and surprise' at the latest development.
He said: ‘We are all pretty shocked and surprised - he’s a lovely guy.
‘He’s been here a lot and never shown any signs of that sort of behaviour.
‘My parents flew out to Shanghai yesterday - none of us knew.”
Emma, who won four gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, is due to compete in the Individual Sprint, Team Sprint and Keirin while in China.
Matthew Richardson has broken his silence following his withdrawal from the World Track Cycling Championships
Richardson's partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, who welcomed her parents out in China amid the storm engulfing her boyfriend
In a statement sent to Daily Mail Sport, a British Cycling spokesperson said: 'British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.'
When approached by Daily Mail Sport about the misconduct allegations which are believed to have prompted Richardson's withdrawal, the organisation added that they would not be commenting further at this stage.
The Times reported Richardson is subject to an investigation into his behaviour, particularly towards teammates.
The investigation is said to have been prompted by a complaint from another rider.
One rider who spoke to the Times said Richardson would not moderate his behaviour even when engaging with athletes from minority backgrounds.
British Cycling added to the Times: ‘British Cycling takes any allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination extremely seriously.
Richardson's partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, who is also out in China
'Where concerns are raised, they are investigated thoroughly through our established procedures.
'Out of fairness to anyone involved in an investigation, we would not comment on any ongoing process.’
Richardson and Finucane live together in Manchester and have been dating since February 2024 after 'knowing each other for a long time'.
Richardson had been due to be one of four members of the men's sprint squad at the World Championships.
He had been due to join Harry Ledingham-Horn, Ed Lowe and Joe Truman in the squad.
Richardson had claimed three medals at the European Championships in Konya, Turkey, earlier this year.
The 27-year-old won gold in both the men's sprint and keirin events, as well as claiming silver in the team sprint with Truman and Hamish Turnbull.
Richardson had been due to make his comeback after he was injured during the Keirin World Series in July.
Last week, Richardson said he is 'lucky' to be walking after being wiped out by a rival in an incident, which ruled him out of the Commonwealth Games three months ago.
Richardson had been slammed off the track by Japanese cyclist Kento Suzuki while competing in the event July, leaving the velodrome in an ambulance.
The sprinter said he has not received an apology from Suzuki over the incident.
He was favourite to win gold in Glasgow but never got to take part after the horrifying crash. He was unable to walk for four days after coming away with a broken scapula and a heavily bruised hip.
Richardson had been hoping to defend the title he won when competing for Australia in 2022, before he switched nationality to represent Britain, which he claimed was like 'Hogwarts' compared to 'High School'.
The Australian defector, who was born in the English town of Maidstone but moved to Perth at nine and went on to carve out a brilliant track career for Australia, caused a sensation by switching allegiance straight after winning two silvers and a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He received a life ban for competing for Australia, but despite early bitter criticism back in the country that honed his cycling talent, he's since carved out a strikingly impressive career in GB and England skinsuits.