British track cyclist Matt Richardson has been sent home from the squad for this week’s World Championships after it was revealed that he is subject to an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The 27-year-old was one of the stars of the British squad announced this month and had widely been expected to add to his tally of international medals after winning two European titles earlier this year.
But he has been sent home from the championships in Shanghai after The Timesreported serious allegations of misconduct made against him, including “making discriminatory remarks about people from minority backgrounds and even joking about his use of the N-word”, which have prompted an official investigation by the national governing body.
When contacted for comment by The Independent, a British Cycling spokesperson said: “British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.” The governing body did not comment on the allegations or give a reason for his withdrawal.
British Cycling also told The Times: “British Cycling takes any allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination extremely seriously. 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 has yet to comment on the allegations.
The Times reported that Richardson “is now out of contact” and believed to be in the process of leaving China. His partner Emma Finucane, who is a three-time world champion, is also in the Shanghai squad.
The Independent has contacted Richardson’s management agency, Rocket Sports, for comment.
Richardson, who was born in Kent to British parents, previously represented Australia having moved there aged nine. He shocked the cycling world by switching to compete for Britain shortly after the Paris Olympics in 2024, where he won two silver medals and one bronze in green and gold.
Since his move to join the British Olympic programme at their Manchester base Richardson has broken the world record for the 200m flying lap, becoming the first man to drop under nine seconds, and won gold in the individual sprint and keirin at the European Championships earlier this year, beating long-time rival Harrie Lavreysen in both races.
He had been expected to take part in the sprint, team sprint and keirin competitions in Shanghai this week. He won silver in the team sprint and individual sprint in last year’s edition in Santiago, Chile, both times losing to the Netherlands’ Lavreysen.
Richardson did not compete at the Commonwealth Gamesafter he broke his scapula and suffered heavy bruising to his hip in a crash in a keirin race in Japan this July, which also set back his preparations for Shanghai.
The World Championships run from 14-18 October.