Richardson wins ‘bittersweet’ first medal for GB

World track cycling championships in 2025

Location: Santiago, Chile, October 22 through October

At the Track World Championships, Matt Richardson won his first medal for Great Britain, taking home silver in the men’s and women’s team sprint.

The Netherlands defeated both teams to win the women’s trio in Santiago, Chile, with defending world champion Emma Finucane leading debutants Iona Moir and Rhianna Parris-Smith.

After winning three medals at the 2024 Olympics, Richardson resembling Australia to his birthplace.

The 26-year-old described the victory with a silver medal as bittersweet for her.

“I’m going to feel amazing wearing a GB skinsuit for my first medal at a world championships.” I would like to see it as the next step, but I can’t get too upset about that.

Joe Truman and Harry Ledingham-Horn made up the men’s qualifying line-up, placing them second behind the Netherlands, who are the two-time defending champions.

In the end, GB defeated Germany in round one, replacing Ledingham-Horn with Hamish Turnbull.

Richardson and GB were in control as Richardson sped off following the second lap, but Jeffrey Hoogland, who crossed the line 0.37 seconds before Turnbull, managed to close the gap.

We’re a fresh line-up, so each time we step on the track, we’re learning a little bit about each other, Richardson said, adding that with his sixth overall victory.

Finucane, who won gold in Denmark last year, has helped GB win a medal in the women’s category at the past three world championships.

She also won individual gold at the previous two worlds, leading a new-look trio in Chile, which came in first place behind the Netherlands.

The Dutch defeated GB by 0.26secs in the final round after winning Colombia in round one.

Finucane, who won three medals at Paris 2024, “is so proud of these two.” We couldn’t have asked for more, they said, “To go out there in the gold medal ride-off, be composed, feel the pressure, and get there”.”

Maddie Leech finished sixth in the women’s scratch race in Chile, making her world-class debut there.

On Thursday, Finucane will begin her title defense against the women’s sprint while GB aims to win the women’s team pursuit final for the second time in a row.