Matthew Richardson, the British cyclist, made his intentions clear as he addressed the media upon arriving in Japan for the 2026 Keirin World Series, which kicks off at the Hofu F1 event in June. On the 11th, the six invited international riders—three men and three women—gathered in Tokyo for a press conference, each sharing their aspirations ahead of the competition.
All eyes are on 27-year-old Matthew Richardson from Great Britain. He enters Japan on a high note, having recently triumphed at the Hong Kong World Cup by outpacing the reigning “absolute king,” Harry Lavreysen, to claim victory. Ahead of his first Keirin challenge in Japan, Richardson’s eyes sparkled as he said, “Competing in Keirin in Japan has always been a dream. I believe the experience I gain here will also benefit me in UCI competitions.”
When asked about the differences between track Keirin and Japanese Keirin, Richardson kept his feet on the ground. “Racing outdoors doesn’t bother me, but the bike itself is a major difference. The gear ratio is smaller,” he explained. He then added confidently, “I’m a highly motivated rider. Giving my all until the finish line is my trademark.” At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Richardson took silver in both the sprint and Keirin events, finishing behind Lavreysen, who won gold in both. Now, in Japan, the battle to determine the world’s best continues.