Richardson hits the ground running in GB colours

Track sprinter wins two from two on opening night of Track Champions League

-  Tom Davidson

Matthew Richardson's debut in red, white and blue was a "dream come true", as he won both of his events in the first round of this year's UCI Track Champions League, earning an early series lead.

The 25-year-old track sprinter, who won two silver medals representing Australia at the Paris Olympics, swapped his nationality to GB in late August, and raced for the first time since the Games on Saturday night. He won both the sprint and keirin events in the Track Champions League's season opener in Paris, beating Dutchman and five-time Olympic champion Harrie Lavreysen in both.

Special feeling

"To even get the opportunity to race a rider such as Harrie, a 16-time UCI world champion, a phenomenal athlete, and to take wins away feels pretty sweet," said Richardson. "It's amazing [racing and winning in GB colours], I was really trying to soak in the experience, but when the announcer called my name representing Great Britain, it was such a special feeling.

"It's a dream come true really, and to win every single race tonight was more than I could have ever wished for."