Former world champion monitor sprinter Matthew Richardson has efficiently modified his racing nationality and can be part of the Nice Britain biking workforce.
The 25-year-old was born in Kent, however moved to Australia when he was 9, and has lived there ever since. A former gymnast, he has represented Australia in monitor biking since he was a junior, successful the workforce dash world title in 2022, and three medals on the current Paris Olympic Video games: silver in each the dash and keirin, and bronze within the workforce dash.
Richardson is taken into account to be the most effective monitor sprinters on the planet, second solely to the Netherlands’ Harrie Lavreysen. He’ll now be coached throughout the British set-up by Jason Kenny, Workforce GB’s most profitable Olympian ever.
“I’ve made the choice to pack up my total life and transfer midway the world over to start the subsequent chapter in my biking profession,” Richardson mentioned. “It’s with a way of pleasure and renewal I announce I’ve joined the Nice British Biking Workforce.
“Switching nationality was a troublesome determination, and never one I took calmly. It was a private selection, made after cautious consideration of my profession and future. I deeply respect Australia and the Aus Biking Workforce and it’ll all the time be part of who I’m. As this new chapter in my life begins, I want to sincerely thank the coaches and help workers who’ve labored with me over a few years in Australia.
“However this determination is about following my ardour and pushing myself to new heights. This is not about leaving one thing behind, however about embracing a brand new chapter in my journey and chasing a dream, a dream that’s to race for the county which I used to be born in.”
Since shifting to Australia, Richardson has maintained twin citizenship, preserving each British and Australian passports.
On account of UCI guidelines within the nationality swap course of, he’s not eligible to compete on the 2024 World Championships this October or the 2025 European Championships in February.
He’ll, nonetheless, be a key a part of the dash squad within the run-up to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, alongside current workforce dash silver medallists Jack Carlin, Hamish Turnbull and Ed Lowe.
Stephen Park, the British workforce’s efficiency director, mentioned the dash squad continues to go from “power to power” with the addition of Richardson.
“I’m excited to see what his presence provides to the expertise we have already got as we begin to flip our consideration to the brand new four-year cycle in the direction of LA 2028,” he mentioned.
In an announcement shared by Aus Biking, efficiency supervisor Jesse Korf mentioned the announcement of Richardson’s swap was “disappointing and got here as a shock”.
“We additionally perceive that the will to compete for a rustic one was born in can convey forth sturdy feelings,” Korf mentioned.
