GB sprinter Matt Richardson withdrawn from Track Cycling World Championships amid reports of misconduct investigation

Track sprinter Matthew Richardson has been withdrawn by Great Britain Cycling for the upcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai amid reports that he is under investigation for allegations of misconduct.

British Cycling confirmed in a statement shared with Cyclingnews that the 27-year-old had been pulled from the squad, without providing a reason, after The Times first reported on Monday afternoon that he was the subject of an internal investigation.

Richardson won silver medals in the latter two events for GB last year in Santiago, Chile. He is also the reigning European champion in the sprint and keirin, having defeated reigning world champion Harrie Lavreysen – who will be the big favourite in Shanghai – back in February.

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He officially became the fastest track cyclist of all time in August last year thanks to breaking the world record for the flying start 200m time trial in Turkey.

It was due to be Richardson’s return to international competition after a crash at a keirin event in Japan, which also kept him out of the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

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