Banned Cyclist Matthew Richardson’s ‘Sweet’ Comeback After Turning His Back on Australia

Cycling defector Matthew Richardson has claimed his first national gold medals as a British competitor, just six months after making headlines by switching his allegiance from Australia to Great Britain, resulting in a lifetime ban.

Richardson, who previously earned three Olympic medals representing Australia in Paris, left the cycling community in shock just days afterwards by announcing his decision to represent his country of birth, England.

This weekend, he secured his first national championship titles as a British rider at the Great Britain National Track Championships held in Manchester, triumphing in both the individual sprint and team sprint events.

He is now poised to compete for triple gold in the keirin on the final day of the championships, adding to the seven national titles he previously secured as an Australian athlete.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve really dreamed of this day, but in a way I kind of have,” Richardson told Cycling Weekly after clinching gold in the individual sprint.

“Changing my nationality meant I could compete in the British nationals, which I’ve always watched on YouTube in replay.”

Reflecting on photos of himself in his new colours, he remarked that it “feels pretty sweet”.

In November, Australia’s cycling governing body, AusCycling, announced that Richardson faced lifetime bans from competing for Australia, using the organisation’s resources, and was ineligible for any AusCycling awards, effective immediately.

Richardson dismissed these sanctions, likening AusCycling’s actions to an employee resigning from a job only to be told they’re fired.

The 25-year-old expressed that the statement issued by AusCycling was “just words on a piece of paper” that “carry no weight”.

Born in Maidstone, Kent, Richardson relocated to Perth when he was nine, where he took up cycling and honed his skills with the help of Midland Cycling Club, the Western Australian Institute of Sport, and AusCycling.

“Great Britain has always been something that has lingered in my mind ever since I was young [and] after moving to Australia. Even when I began racing for Australia, it was always in the back of my mind that I might compete for GB. So, it has been with me since then,” Richardson explained to SBS in November.

“Now that I’m at a pivotal point in my career, I thought it was a good time to make the switch, as I would have regretted it for life if I didn’t take the chance. So here I am now.”