Matt Richardson wins sprint and keirin on GB debut after nationality switch
Matt Richardson won the men’s sprint and keirin finals at the French Athletics Champions League event, competing for Great Britain for the first time since switching nationality from Australia.
The 25-year-old was born in Kent and moved to Western Australia when he was nine, where he represented Australia at the Paris Olympics. before deciding to represent Great Britain.
He was beaten by Harry Lavreson in the men’s sprint final at the Summer Olympics, but in the same event at the Saint-Quentin-Yvelines velodrome, Richardson impressed in the first round of this season’s track and field competition. Defeated the Dutchmen in the Champions League in profound fashion.
Richardson rounded the outside of Lavreson and then went on to secure victory as his rival was unable to keep up in the final stretch and fell back.
Then in the men’s keirin, Richardson escaped the wake of Lavreisen and accelerated to victory.
“I’ve never beaten Harry in the sprint and keirin on the same night, so it’s pretty cool to be able to do that,” Richardson said.
“I have to play well and be confident for the rest of the series.”
Britain’s Katie Archibald missed the Olympics after breaking her leg in an accident, but she was also in impressive form, winning the women’s scratch and knockout events.
Archibald defeated Norway’s Anita Stenberg to win the scratch event and then came out on top in the elimination round.
“I’m really happy,” Archibald said. “I’m doing everything I can to get the best result and hold on as long as I can. I’m going to work hard for every point.”
Britain’s Emma Finucane defeated Colombia’s Martha Bayona to win the women’s scramble, while compatriot Will Perrett won the men’s elimination event champion.
The next round of the series will be a doubleheader in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, on November 29-30.
