Former Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion Chloe Hosking said Richardson’s decision was “no surprise” given the generous support Olympic track cyclists receive in the UK, adding it should be used as a wake-up call for AusCycling.
British Cycling received around £30million in funding in the last Olympic cycle, winning 11 medals across all disciplines, the most of any nation.
“I think that probably a huge factor in his decision-making was the support that will be offered,” Hosking said. “I think it’s no surprise to anybody — we know the British track programme is one of the best in the world. He’s obviously had conversations, done the research, and made the decision that that’s where he is going to be in the best position, whether that’s from support staff, equipment, financially, and also the environment.
“I understand it. From an athlete’s point of view, our careers are so short, we need to get the most out of them when we can. Nobody would ever burn a road cyclist for changing teams because they think that’s the best move for their career. It’s so much more difficult for track cyclists.”
‘GB are putting money up, which Australia can’t’
Chris Van der Veen, a committee member at Midland Cycling in Perth, Richardson’s original club, agreed with Hosking.
“This is the difficulty with the sprinters,” he said. “They don’t have the ability to switch to the road like an endurance track rider. That’s why they have to go to Japan to race keirin, they’ve got to go to the US to race, and they’ve got to try to race in the European championships, because there’s nothing for them here in Australia. They have to go to Europe somehow and they have to try to find some money.
“I mean, as much as it’s hard to say goodbye to Matt, from that perspective, from being an ex-track rider myself, I get it. GB are putting money up, which Australia can’t, so you can understand that he’s got to make his way. He’s got to be a breadwinner at some point, hasn’t he?”
Whether it comes to anything, time will tell. The Australian Olympic Committee have publicly wished Richardson well, with his two silver medals and one bronze medal constituting an excellent return on investment. “Matthew Richardson’s success in Paris is a great credit to him, his support team and AusCycling,” it said in a statement on Tuesday. “While disappointed to learn he will now ride for Great Britain, the AOC wishes him well.
“The AOC would like to thank AusCycling for its work in developing Matt into one of the world’s best track sprinters and congratulate Matthew on winning three medals for Australia. We look forward to seeing the AusCycling team continue to develop and assist Australian cyclists achieve their Olympic dreams.”
