Cycling superstar Matthew Richardson’s Commonwealth Games hopes were horrifically ended by a “disgraceful” act on the eve of the competition.
The 27-year-old switched allegiances from Australia to Great Britain after winning three medals in the green and gold at the Paris Olympics, and two golds for Australia at the last Commonwealth Games.
Watch the crash via the video player above
Aussies were excited by the prospect of him facing his former teammates as an English athlete in Glasgow, but he was forced to pull out just days before due to injury.
Now footage of the shocking crash which caused his withdrawal has emerged.
It occurred during a Keirin event in Japan when home rider Kento Suzuki moved alongside Richardson before turning straight into him, sending the ex-Aussie rider tumbling to the floor in a sickening moment.
The huge crash destroyed Richardson’s plans to compete in the sprint, team sprint, and Keirin at the Games.
And Channel 7 broadcaster Matt White was fuming with the Japanese athlete, saying: “Out of the Commonwealth Games in horrible fashion.
“He is absolutely taken out. In motor racing terms that’s T-boned, he has been taken out by a fellow competitor, which no one wants to see.
“That’s appalling. No matter what storyline you want to follow into this one (Richardson v Australia at the Commonwealth Games) … and that’s an inch away from serious physical injury.”
While fellow expert Johanna Griggs added: “That in itself is disgraceful. That’s ugly and horrible and unnecessary.”
Suzuki later apologised and took full responsibility, saying: “There’s no excuses, it’s simply down to my own lack of skill!” he wrote in Japanese.
“From this point onwards, I’ve changed my mindset. If it doesn’t work vertically, I’ll try horizontally — I just couldn’t help but move. I’m sorry!”
Richardson, replaced for the Games by Harry Radford, was ruled out following a Team England statement.
“Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained in international racing earlier this week, Matt Richardson will no longer be able to compete for Team England at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games,” they wrote.
“We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the track soon.”
On the eve of the Games, Richardson had a dig at Australian cycling, saying he doesn’t regret his switch to represent England and explained the benefits of Great Britain’s cycling program.
“There’s a no-expense-spared mentality to the way we go racing. In Australia, doing World Cups, I’d be flying with only my race bike. No bike to warm up on, and it made racing quite challenging,” he said.
“Now I fly with four or five bikes: a sprint and keirin bike, a team sprint bike, a spare bike, my warm-up bike and an activation bike.
“It’s just incredible, the amount of support around you. It all adds up, and it all makes a difference.”