Cyclist who betrayed Australia complains about 'unfair' attention

Controversial cycling star Matthew Richardson, who has caused outrage in Australia over his decision to defect and race for Great Britain, says the criticism he has copped has been 'pretty unfair'.

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.

'I think the attention on me has been pretty unfair, I am not the first to ride for another country after representing Australia but because of my success, I was more high-profile,' Richardson told inews.

'I am so thankful to AusCycling for their support when I was riding for them. I have never attacked them and only spoken about them positively.

'This is not about having a future that I did not have in the Adelaide programme as I am happy with what I have achieved.

'But there is not a single thing that makes me doubt my decision, this is something I have wanted to do since I started racing.'

'But I thought to myself at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham about how incredible it would have been to win a sprint being English in an English velodrome,'

'I really hope I can win some races in London, it is going to be such a special feeling,' says Richardson.

'I have not felt any uncertainty from British fans and it is nice to have such great support considering I have not really given any real results yet for them.'

Richardson might be feeling the support from British fans, but Aussie ones aren't so impressed.

'Australia made this guy. He's nobody without them,' replied one to his Instagram account.

'Doesn't hold the integrity and values of an Australian,' posted another.

'Give us back the taxpayer money we invested in you as an Australian,' commented a third.

'This guy is a scumbag with zero integrity,' replied another.

While Richardson had ruffled the feathers of many Aussie athletes, he hit back at his detractors earlier this year, explaining why he had opted to part company with the Australian team.

'I obviously understood that there would be a bit of bitterness around this decision, but at the end of the day it's my career and it's my life,' he told ABC.

'Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It's up to me whether I want to listen to it or not, and I've obviously chosen not to.

'When I grew up I was watching people like Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny win gold medals at the Olympic Games for GB, and those sort of memories really resonate with a kid,' he said.

'It kind of burnt itself in my brain, and that has just kind of stuck with me ever since.'