British cyclist Matt Richardson is set to return to competition at next week’s UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai after recovering from a severe crash that forced him out of his Commonwealth Games debut. The 27-year-old was hospitalized in Japan with a broken right scapula and significant bruising to his hip following a deliberate collision during a keirin race in Tachikawa, just hours before his scheduled flight to Glasgow.

Richardson, a member of Britain’s 20-strong squad for the upcoming championships, is aiming to contest the team sprint, individual sprint, and keirin events. He expressed confidence in his recovery and performance, citing positive training results and support from British Cycling. Earlier this year, he secured gold medals in both sprint and keirin at the European Championships.

The crash occurred when a rival cyclist, Kento Suzuki, sharply swerved into Richardson, causing him to fall heavily along the inside of the track. Suzuki was disqualified for the incident. Richardson described the collision as a clear breach of racing conduct, distinguishing it from the usual aggressive maneuvers common in track cycling.

“I think a line was crossed that day,” Richardson said of the incident, emphasizing the difference between typical competitive contact and a deliberate move to force an opponent off their bike.

Despite the setback, Richardson remains optimistic about his prospects at the World Championships, viewing a medal as a testament to his rehabilitation and the effort of his support team. The championships, held from October 17 to 22, will mark his first major international competition since the injury.