British Cycling to implement action plan after survey responses described World Class Programme as 'toxic'

British Cycling said on 15 October 2026 it will implement an action plan after a confidential Culture Feedback Survey produced responses that described its World Class Programme as "toxic"; the organisation's headquarters are in Manchester.

"The wellbeing of our staff and riders is fundamental to everything we do at British Cycling," said a British Cycling spokesperson. "The Culture Feedback Survey, which has been the subject of recent reports, is independently run to provide a valuable tool to help us learn and improve. "The majority of team members say they love their jobs and overall favourability has increased, ranking 'very good' in the latest study. "However, it is important to recognise others want to see improvements, and we are committed to listening and acting on this. "As a result, the GB Cycling Team has developed an action plan that is being implemented alongside wider work across British Cycling, focused on leadership, development, feedback and wellbeing. UK Sport is aware and supportive of the action we are taking."

The confidential survey was funded by UK Sport and was carried out by an independent company earlier this year. The Times reported the results found there was a drop in morale among riders and performance staff, while "toxic" was the joint-second most common response to a question asking for words to describe the programme.

Reports about the survey followed Matt Richardson being withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for this week's World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai amid reports he is under investigation for misconduct. Richardson has said he will co-operate with a British Cycling investigation and promised to do so with "contrition for the feelings of anyone involved".

"It is critical to us that the sports we invest in have a safe, healthy and high-performing culture where athlete voice is included in decision making," said a UK Sport spokesperson. "That is why the sports we work with undertake periodic, independent surveys of their athletes and staff within performance programmes to form one part of the assessment of the culture within those environments. "We have engaged with British Cycling on the findings of its most recent culture survey and are aware of the action plan it is already implementing to address some of the themes it raised. "We will continue to work with British Cycling as it embeds this plan and ensure their performance culture is of the highest possible standard."

Separately reported material on the same coverage noted GB won two golds at the Track World Championships, including gold for the GB women in the team pursuit.

The GB Cycling Team's action plan is being implemented alongside wider work across British Cycling as the World Track Cycling Championships take place in Shanghai this week.