Sprint Ace Richardson Breaks Silence after Being Booted from China Track Worlds for Discrimination

Matthew Richardson has promised to co-operate “with contrition” to investigations over his alleged discrimination and misconduct.

On Monday, the 27-year-old sprinter was booted from the British team for this week’s track world championships in Shanghai following allegations made against him, including by other athletes.

According to The Times, Richardson was found “making discriminatory remarks about people from minority backgrounds and even joking about his use of the N-word.”

British Cycling has opened an internal investigation into Richardson’s conduct. The rider was sent home from China earlier this week.

Richardson responded to the allegations for the first time Tuesday via a post on Instagram.

“I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships,” he wrote.

“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 locked the comments section on his post.

Lavreysen rues lost rematch with Richardson

Richardson’s shock ejection from the British team reshaped the narrative going into track worlds. The sprint powerhouse was seen as a stone-cold lock for medals at the team sprint, sprint and keirin events.

Richardson’s major rival Harry Lavreysen told De Telegraaf he’d miss the competition. The Dutchman was beaten by Richardson to the European sprint and keirin titles earlier this season.

“I’m eager for a rematch,” Lavreysen said Tuesday. “Richardson was also in Japan [where Lavreysen trained last summer, ed.], and when I saw him riding there with those European stripes and stars on his jersey, it really got to me.

“I wasn’t in my best shape in February, but I am now,” Lavreysen said. “So I would have loved to beat him here.”

The UCI track world championships run October 14-18.