- Has raced for Australia at two Olympics
- Defected to the nation where he was born
- Has revealed new uniform, riling up Aussies in the process
The turncoat Aussie cyclist who defected to Great Britain has revealed his new team colours and received a battering in the comments section for his trouble.
Matt Richardson turned from Aussie hero to public enemy No.1 by announcing he would be racing for Great Britain from now on.
Richardson represented Australia until August this year, competing as a track cyclist in the men’s keirin, individual sprint and team sprint at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the Australians finished fourth.
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.
AusCycling has banned Richardson for life from representing Australia, citing his conduct before defecting, including withholding information about his switch and requesting to take AusCycling property to Great Britain.
The ban prohibits him from rejoining the Australian Cycling Team, accessing its resources, or receiving related awards.
In the wake of the 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.’
He also posted to his personal Instagram account after his first race for Great Britain in France.
‘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,’ he said.
While British fans were stoked to see their new superstar parading his new colours on social media, Aussies were less enthused.
‘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.
