- Cyclist Matthew Richardson left Australia to join Great Britain
- But the move has sparked anger among some within Australian cycling.
- Richardson was born in Kent and moved to Australia when he was nine.
Matthew Richardson has been criticised by a former Australian world champion for his decision to defect to Britain.
Richardson won three track cycling medals at the Paris Olympics for Australia but announced on Monday that he will now ride for Great Britain, his country of birth.
The 25-year-old’s decision has been met with strong criticism in Australia, with Katherine Bates comparing it to a “breakup you never saw coming” and saying other Australian riders feel “cheated”.
“There are a lot of people who can’t believe it and some people are personally quite disappointed that they were caught off guard,” said Bates, who won the points race at the 2007 World Championships and the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
‘Others feel a little cheated because supporting him over the years has come at the direct cost of supporting other athletes.
Cyclist Matthew Richardson has sparked fury after defecting from Australia to Britain
Richardson (left) won three medals at the Paris Olympics, two silver and one bronze.
Katherine Bates (right) compared the situation to a “breakup you never saw coming.”
‘I think the bond with his country is very strong, but if that bond exists, then I’m not really sure why he wouldn’t have made this leap years ago.
“I really don’t think it’s right that if that was the case all along, why did he go down this path with AusCycling.”
Richardson was born in Maidstone, Kent, but moved to Australia when he was nine and joined the AusCycling team as a junior.
He is in a relationship with Britain’s Emma Finucane, who also won three track cycling medals in Paris.
Meanwhile, Australia is considering whether the triple Olympic medallist could be banned from international cycling for two years.
The 25-year-old won silver medals in the men’s sprint and keirin events at the Paris Olympics, while also winning bronze with Australia in the team sprint event.
“There is disappointment about the decision and the process and not knowing what Matt’s circumstances are,”
That was according to AusCycling Executive Managing Director of Performance Jesse Korf on Tuesday.
‘He will certainly not compete in the next World Championships (in October).
Bates added that Richardson’s decision “didn’t sit well” with him after Richardson had made progress in setting up AusCycling.
He is in a relationship with Britain’s Emma Finucane, who also won three track cycling medals in Paris.
Richardson was born in Maidstone, Kent, but moved to Australia when he was nine.
Meanwhile, Australia is considering whether the triple Olympic medallist could be banned from international cycling for two years.
“However, the length of the non-competition and the clauses regarding it are currently being studied and analysed with the UCI and the ASC (Australian Sports Commission).”
Regarding the imposition of a two-year ban from competing, Korf added: “That’s something we would have to discuss internally because obviously we have a lot of say in that and we need to review it.
‘In this same sense, the AIS (ASC) is an important player, since it provides a large part of the financing.
“So we would need to have a discussion to come to a joint decision before we can share it and start a conversation with the UCI, Matt and British Cycling.”