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Cyclist Matthew Richardson Recounts Crash and Prepares for Comeback
British track cycling star Matthew Richardson has opened up about a devastating crash he experienced during a race in Japan this past summer, describing it as an incident where a boundary was clearly overstepped. The 27-year-old athlete sustained a fractured shoulder and required a four-day hospitalization after the collision on an asphalt velodrome during a Keirin World Series event held in Tachikawa in late July. Visual evidence of the event shows another competitor veering across the track and colliding directly with Richardson, leading the British cyclist to believe the maneuver was deliberate.
Richardson articulated his belief that a critical threshold was breached during the race, emphasizing that while international racers in Japanese keirin understand the inherent risks and aggressive nature of the sport, there's a distinct difference between competitive jostling and intentionally steering to cause another rider to fall. He expressed disappointment that a fellow rider would jeopardize another's safety in such a manner, reiterating an understanding of the sport's dangers but deeming this particular action as excessive. The rider responsible for the collision, Japan's Gento Suzuki, faced disqualification and later issued an apology on social media, attributing the incident to his own lack of skill, though Richardson confirmed he has not received a direct apology and has no intention of engaging with him.
The injuries forced Richardson to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he was slated to debut for Team England. He followed the competition from his hospital bed in Japan, as he recovered from a broken scapula and a swollen hip. He characterized this as his most severe crash to date, noting it was the first time he couldn't immediately get back on his feet. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Richardson resumed light turbo training within a week and was back to full-speed sprinting within two weeks. His swift recovery culminates in his selection for Great Britain's 20-member squad for the upcoming Track Worlds in Shanghai, China, scheduled from October 14-18. Despite his injuries taking longer to heal than anticipated, he is grateful they weren't more severe, acknowledging that a slightly different landing could have had more dire consequences. Confident in his current form, Richardson is determined to compete for world titles in the team sprint, individual sprint, and keirin events, potentially facing his formidable rival, Harrie Lavreysen, aiming for gold.
