A STAR Team GB cyclist, who once declared himself the fastest ever, has been sent home from the World Championships.
Matthew Richardson, 27, has been withdrawn from the UCI World Track Cycling Championships by British Cycling following allegations of misconduct.
The British rider – who switched allegiance from Australia after bagging three medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics – had been due to ride in the prestigious event, which starts in Shanghai on Wednesday.
However, The Times claims to have discovered he is the subject of an ongoing investigation into his behaviour, particularly towards teammates.
Maidstone-born Richardson – one of the world’s fastest track sprinters – is alleged to have made discriminatory remarks via social media about people from minority backgrounds.
The investigation is said to have been prompted by a complaint from another rider.
One rider who spoke to the Times said Richardson would not moderate his behaviour even when engaging with athletes from minority backgrounds.
It is understood that Richardson is in the process of leaving the squad in China.
A British Cycling spokesperson said: “British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.”
The governing body added: “British Cycling takes any allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination extremely seriously.
“Where concerns are raised, they are investigated thoroughly through our established procedures.
“Out of fairness to anyone involved in an investigation, we would not comment on any ongoing process.”
It comes after a independent review into British Cycling in 2017 concluded a “culture of fear” existed within the team.
Richardson’s partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, who is aiming to win three golds in the five-day event.
Before he was due to compete at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in August, Richardson was barged off the track in a Keirin race.
The two-time World Championship silver medallist ended up in hospital with a broken shoulder blade and suffered a “lot of trauma to the outside of my hip”.
Richardson won three medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the green and gold colours of Australia, before sensationally transferring to Team GB a week after the closing ceremony.
Richardson was born in Maidstone, Kent, and moved with his family to Perth aged nine.