Matt Richardson to cooperate with British Cycling probe after Shanghai withdrawal

Matt Richardson has pledged to cooperate with a British Cycling investigation into allegations of serious misconduct after he was withdrawn from this week’s Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, in an Instagram post on Tuesday. The Times reported the allegations were related to his behaviour to other riders.

The 27-year-old was withdrawn from the championships in Shanghai and admitted he was disappointed to have to pull out. He was viewed as one of Britain’s strongest medal hopes in China, with chances in the team and individual sprints and the keirin. Richardson requested privacy for his family in his statement.

“I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships,” said Richardson, who switched allegiance from Australia to Britain after the Paris 2024 Olympics. “British Cycling has said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures. I will cooperate 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,” he added. “I ask that my family’s privacy is respected at this time.”

In a statement, UK Sport said it supported the seriousness with which British Cycling was treating the allegation but stressed that Richardson must be given a fair hearing. “We support the seriousness with which British Cycling is treating this matter and it is essential that proper and fair process is followed,” it said. “The highest standards of integrity and athlete welfare are non-negotiable when it comes to UK Sport’s commitment to winning well.”

Richardson said British Cycling’s established procedures would be followed and that he would cooperate fully with its processes, and he will not comment further until any process is complete.