WATCH: Aussie ‘defector’ ruled out of Comm Games after shocking crash in Japan

It was set to be one of the grudge matches of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Alas, former Australian Olympian and current English cyclist Matthew Richardson won’t be at the start line for the track sprint events in Glasgow after being injured in a shocking crash while racing in Japan earlier this week.

Footage has emerged of the high-speed incident during a keirin race in Tachikawa, Japan, with local rider Kento Suzuki veering violenty into Richardson’s bike and knocking him to the ground.

Suzuki was disqualified over the incident while Richardson will miss the chance to go head-to-head with his former Australian teammate Leigh Hoffman in the keirin and sprint events in Glasgow.

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An English-born dual citizen Richardson, 27, stunned Australian cycling fans and officials just days after winning three medals for Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by announcing he was changing his allegiance to Great Britain.

Australian cycling’s governing body, AusCycling, subsequently handed Richardson a lifetime ban from representing Australia again.

So the crash that ruled former Aussie Matt Richardson out of the cycling in Glasgow is…
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— 7Sport (@7Sport) July 30, 2026

WATCH: Aussie ‘defector’ ruled out of Comm Games after shocking crash in Japan

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