Matt Richardson Joins Great Britain Cycling Team After Success with Australia

Track cyclist Matt Richardson, a standout performer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has announced his switch to the Great Britain cycling team. The 25-year-old, who originally hails from Kent but moved to Western Australia at the age of nine, will now represent GB after achieving notable success with Australia.

Richardson, who held dual citizenship while living in Australia for 16 years, will join the GB sprint squad under the guidance of Sir Jason Kenny, a seven-time Olympic gold medallist. This transition follows Richardson’s impressive performance at the recent Paris Olympics, where he secured three medals: silver in both the individual sprint and keirin, and a bronze in the team sprint.

In a post on Instagram, Richardson shared that the decision to switch nationalities was challenging and not made lightly. He expressed his deep respect for Australia and its cycling team, acknowledging that his connection to Australia will always be a significant part of his identity. However, he emphasized that his choice was driven by a desire to pursue his passion and seek new challenges in his cycling career.

Richardson’s move has come as a surprise to AusCycling, the governing body for cycling in Australia. Jesse Korf, the executive general manager of performance at AusCycling, expressed disappointment over Richardson’s departure, noting that the cyclist’s exit from a program that had contributed to both personal and national success was unexpected. Korf also recognized the strong emotions tied to Richardson’s decision to represent the country of his birth.

Richardson’s switch to Great Britain highlights his ongoing commitment to advancing his career and pursuing new goals in the sport. His new role with the GB sprint team, coached by the legendary Kenny, is anticipated to further elevate his performance and contributions to competitive cycling.