A two-year non-competition ban at international events is set to be enforced on cyclist Matt Richardson, following his decision to switch allegiance to Great Britain.
The 25-year-old track cyclist, who was born in England and won three medals for Australia at the Paris Olympics, announced he will compete for the UK on social media this week.
Former world champion Katherine Bates told the ABC some Aussie cyclists were feeling a “little bit ripped off” given the resources devoted to developing Richardson.
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Under Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, cyclists who switch allegiance cannot compete at the next edition of the World and continental Championships.
However, AusCycling says a two-year non-competition period will apply to Richardson.
“We are confident the UCI will enforce [the two-year non-competition period] as per UCI regulations,” said AusCycling.
Jesse Korf, AusCycling executive general manager of performance added:
“He will not compete at the upcoming World Championships.
“But the non-competition duration and clauses, that is being interrogated and looked into at the moment together with the UCI and ASC (Australian Sports Commission).”
Korf said it was “too early to tell” if Australia’s cycling body wanted to enforce the two-year non-competition clause.
“That is something that we would have to discuss internally because we obviously have a big say in that and we need to review that,” he said.
“On that same token the AIS/ASC is a big stakeholder in that they provide a lot of the funding.
“So that would have to be a conversation to get to a joint decision before we can share that and start a conversation with UCI and Matt and British Cycling.”
The World Championships, which take place every year, begin in October. According to the BBC, British Cycling confirmed Richardson will not be eligible for that event and February’s European Championships. However, they did not comment on AusCycling’s claim he will be ineligible for two years.
Speaking to the ABC in the aftermath of his decision, Richardson brushed off the criticism over his announcement.
“The investment that was put into me over the last few years in Australian cycling, I feel like I made a good return on that investment, winning two silver medals and a bronze medal at the Olympic Games for Australia.”
