GB's Richardson will 'co-operate' with investigation

Matt Richardson says he will co-operate with a British Cycling investigation amid allegations of misconduct - and promised do so with "contrition for the feelings of anyone involved".

On Monday, the 27-year-old was withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for this week's World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai.

British Cycling did not give a reason for his withdrawal and declined to comment to BBC Sport on reports first published by The Times, external that it was due to a misconduct investigation.

Richardson said in a statement he was "deeply disappointed" to miss the event in China from 14-18 October, but understood the "seriousness of what has been raised" in recent media reports.

"British Cycling has said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures. I will co-operate fully with its processes," he added.

"I assure everyone that I will do so properly, and appropriately, and with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected."

Richardson had been expected to contend for three medals in the team sprint, individual sprint and keirin.

The Maidstone-born cyclist switched allegiance from Australia to Britain after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he won two silver medals and a bronze.

He was also forced to miss his anticipated England debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July after crashing during a keirin event in Japan.