Olympic cycling defector comes clean on decision to join to Great Britain as Aussies hand him lifetime ban: ‘I’d regret it for the rest of my life’

Controversial Olympic cycling star Matthew Richardson, who has caused outrage in Australia over his decision to defect to race for Great Britain, has come clean on his decision to join up with the rival team.

The 25-year-old Olympic silver medallist, who dazzled in the Keirin and Sprint events in Paris, was handed a lifetime ban by Cycling Australia on Monday following his controversial defection.

The move has enraged some in Australia, with cycling fans branding him a turncoat after bombshell new details on his defection emerged on Monday.

According to an investigation conducted by AusCycle into his defection, Richardson is alleged to have withheld information from the governing body that he was going to jump ship to join the Brits. It is understood that he had known about the defection prior to the Games in Paris.

The governing body, who came down heavily on the dual-citizen on Monday with multiple sanctions, also claimed that Richardson had attempted to take ‘AusCycling property, including a custom bike, cockpit and Olympic race suit to Great Britain.’

They added in a statement: ‘This represented an unacceptable risk to AusCycling’s intellectual property.’

The ban prohibits him from rejoining the Australian Cycling Team, accessing its resources, or receiving related awards.

On Monday, the Olympic silver medallist was handed a life ban by Cycling Australia   

While he is currently prohibited from representing GB in the World Championships or the Olympics until next year, he was able to feature in the Track Champions League this weekend, winning both the Keirin and Sprint Events.

Speaking over the weekend to SBS, Richardson opened up further on his decision to defect to GB, with the 25-year-old explaining that he would have regretted the call later in life if he had not made the switch now.

‘GB has always been something that’s kind of stuck with me since I was a kid,’ Richardson said in an interview with SBS.

‘Since I moved out to Australia and then when I started racing for Australia, it was always kind of a thought in my mind that I could actually be racing for GB, so it kind of stuck with me since then.

‘Kind of midway through my career now, I figured now is probably a good time to do it, if I was going to do it. And I just kind of thought I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t give it a crack and try and make the swap.

‘So here I am.’

He added that shorter flight times were a real perk, compared to flying into Europe from Australia, before adding that he has faced some challenges during the move.

‘Coming here (Paris) was only an hour’s flight,” he said. “Super chill, rather than coming from Australia, it takes two days or something like that.

It came after he turned his back on Australia to race for Great Britain and has now swapped a green and gold jersey for a red, white and blue top 

‘GB has always been something that’s kind of stuck with me since I was a kid,’ Richardson said in an interview with SBS

‘It’s already kind of reaping the rewards from that sense. And it’s nice being close to the racing.

‘The move has come with its challenges of course — trying to settle into a new environment and a new team and things like that, but it’s gone pretty smoothly I’d say.’

Speaking on his victories this weekend, he added: ‘It’s amazing (racing and winning in GB colours). I was really trying to soak in the experience, but when the announcer called my name, representing Great Britain, it was such a special feeling.

‘It’s a dream come true really and to win every single race tonight was more than I could have ever wished for.’

Richardson, meanwhile, has been maintaining a low profile on social media since he was banned by AusCycle.

He posted a picture of himself racing in Paris while wearing a red, white and blue cycle suit, with the caption: ‘Dream start to the @ucitcl in Paris! Tough night out there with what felt like a lot of pressure to perform. Long way to go still so just taking it one race at a time. Next stop Netherlands.’

The 25-year-old, who was born in Kent, England, turned from Aussie hero to public enemy No 1 by announcing he would be racing for Great Britain in August

Richardson competed as a track cyclist in the men’s Keirin, Sprint and Team Sprint at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,  where the Australians finished fourth.

Richardson has ruffled the feathres of some Australians, but claimed that he would have major regrets if he had not made the switch 

The cyclist is alleged to have attempted to take several pieces of equipment to  

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Kent-born 25-year-old secured two silver medals in the men’s Keirin and Sprint, and a bronze in the men’s Team Sprint.

He then shocked Australians by announcing his decision to switch nationalities and compete for Great Britain, citing personal reasons and a desire to chase new dreams.

This move was approved by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and following his defection, Richardson competed for Great Britain in the UCI Track Champions League three days ago – winning the men’s Sprint and Keirin finals in France.

In the wake of his ban, Richardson has taken to social media to show off his new national colours along with his new team strip, earning the ire of Aussie sport fans in the process.

Richardson said the design of his new uniform was ‘really cool’.  

‘Red, white, blue, super clean. Matches the legs as well. It’s cool to finally be in it.

‘After watching riders for the last three years race in it, it’s a bit of a weird feeling.

‘But it’s cool and definitely a 10/10 for me.’

While British fans were stoked to see their new superstar parading his new colours on social media, Aussies were less enthused.

Aussie fans hit out at the cyclist on social media with one calling him a ‘turncoat’ while another called him a ‘snake’

‘Banned from Australian Cycling for life. You can’t win back respect and integrity,’ one Aussie supporter posted.

‘His choice, but he will have a question over his loyalty and ethics throughout his career. Given the support from Australian cycling institutions and his existing record representing Australia. I personally don’t think it is the right thing to do, but he has to live with it,’ added another.

‘Turncoat confirmed and banned,’ fumed yet another.

‘I would have just sold it on Facebook marketplace,’ another said of the uniform.

‘Absolute [snake emoji],’ posted another. 

Those Aussies are getting little sympathy from British fans, though.

‘Ah so happy to see you in Brit colours – they suit you,’ one posted on his video revealing the GB uniform.

‘What an upgrade,’ posted another with a fire emoji. 

Richardson will next compete in Round 3 of the UCI Track Champions League on November 30 where Apeldoorn in the Netherlands will make its debut as a venue on the tour.