Matt Richardson has been unexpectedly withdrawn from the Great Britain cycling team ahead of the 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai due to allegations of misconduct. British Cycling confirmed the decision, stating that the 27-year-old is in the process of leaving the squad’s base in China, although no specific reasons were provided.

The report from The Times indicates that Richardson is currently under investigation by the governing body regarding the claims of misconduct. British Cycling issued a statement affirming, “British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain cycling team squad for the upcoming championships.”

Richardson, who made the switch from Australia to represent Great Britain after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was anticipated to secure three medals in various events, including the team and individual sprints and the keirin.

Earlier this year, he faced a setback when he was forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated England debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after crashing in a keirin race just before his flight. The latest developments cast uncertainty over his future in competitive cycling as the investigation unfolds.