Track cyclist who ditched Australia withdrawn from world champ squad

British track cyclist Matthew Richardson, who defected from Australian cycling at the end of the Paris Games, has been withdrawn from this week's UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai

Richardson had been earlier named in the British squad for the championships, which run from October 14 to 18, before British Cycling confirmed he had been withdrawn.

"British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China," a spokesperson said in a statement provided to Reuters.

The governing body did not give a reason for Richardson's withdrawal.

The Times reported that Richardson had been removed from the team amid an investigation into "alleged discriminatory posts and behaviour".

Reuters has not independently verified the allegations, and has contacted Rocket Sports, Richardson's management agency, for comment from the rider.

Richardson was injured in a crash during the World Series keirin event in Japan and was ruled out from making his highly anticipated England debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.

Richardson was born in Maidstone, England, and moved to Australia at the age of nine.

A week after the closing ceremony of the Paris Games — where Richardson won silver medals in the individual sprint and men's keirin and a bronze in the team sprint — he stunned Australia by announcing his defection.

In 2025, Richardson became the first rider to break nine seconds for the "flying 200m", setting a new time of 8.941 seconds.

Reuters/ABC