Matt Richardson withdrawn from GB cycling team amid misconduct investigation

British track cyclist Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China, amid an investigation into allegations of serious misconduct.

Reports indicate that British Cycling is investigating claims of harassment, bullying, and discrimination. Specifically, The Times reported that Richardson allegedly made discriminatory remarks regarding people from minority backgrounds and joked about using racial slurs. The investigation is believed to have been prompted by a complaint from a fellow rider.

Richardson, a 27-year-old Olympic silver medalist who recently switched allegiance from Australia to Great Britain, was considered a major medal contender in the sprint, keirin, and team sprint events. He is reportedly in the process of leaving the team’s training base in China. British Cycling confirmed his withdrawal but declined to comment on the specifics of the ongoing investigation, stating they take all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously.