Record-breaking track cyclist Matthew Richardson has vowed to “co-operate fully” with British Cycling’s investigation into his reported use of “discriminatory remarks”.
The 27-year-old won two silver medals and a bronze for Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, before switching allegiance to Britain.
Richardson was cut from the British Cycling team on Monday ahead of the UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai on October 14, amid rumours of “serious allegations of misconduct”.
The Aussie defector posted on his Instagram on Wednesday, stating he understood the severity of the claims and would co-operate “with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might have been affected”.
“I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships,” the statement read.
“British Cycling has said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures.
“I will cooperate fully with its processes.
“I assure everyone that I will do so properly, and appropriately and with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected.
“Out of fairness to everyone involved, and on advice, like from British Cycling, I will not be commenting further until any process is complete.”
The development comes as an investigation by The Times uncovered an internal probe by British Cycling in the lead-up to his withdrawal.
According to publication, it was a fellow rider’s complaint that triggered the investigation.
The report alleges it has seen evidence of Richardson making “discriminatory remarks” about minorities and “joking about his use of the N-word”.
After confirming Richardson’s withdrawal, British Cycling responded, saying it takes “any allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination extremely seriously”.
“Where concerns are raised, they are investigated thoroughly through our established procedures,” the statement read.
British Cycling refused to comment further “out of fairness to anyone involved in the investigation”.
Richardson shattered the world record for the 200m flying start in 2025, calling himself “the fastest cyclist of all-time” after becoming the first person to break the nine-second barrier.
He was expected to lead British Cycling to a successful campaign in China this week.
Joe Truman, who won silver in the team sprint at the 2025 UCI World Championships alongside Richardson, has been selected as the replacement.
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