Australia expects UCI to enforce two-year non-competition period on Richardson

MELBOURNE : Australia's cycling body expects the global governing UCI to enforce a two-year non-competition period on Matt Richardson at international events following his decision to switch allegiance to Britain.

Richardson, who won three medals for Australia at the Paris velodrome, announced the switch on Monday saying he was excited to join the "Great British Cycling Team".

Under UCI rules, cyclists who switch allegiance are not eligible to represent their new national team at the following edition of world and continental championships.

However, AusCycling said it understood Richardson would be unable to represent Britain at international competitions for two years under UCI rules.

"We are confident the UCI will enforce (the non-competition period) as per UCI regulations," an AusCycling spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The Switzerland-based UCI did not provide immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

Reuters has contacted British cycling's governing body for comment.

AusCycling executive general manager of performance Jesse Korf told Australian media on Tuesday that AusCycling was looking into the duration of the non-competition period with the UCI.

"There's disappointment around the decision and the process and not knowing around Matt's circumstances," Korf said.

"He will not compete at the upcoming world championships.

"But the non-competition duration and clauses, that is being interrogated and looked into at the moment together with the UCI and ASC (Australian Sports Commission)."

The ASC is Australia's peak sports funding agency.

The AusCycling spokesperson clarified on Wednesday that Australia has no power to enforce the non-competition period and that the decision is in the UCI's hands.

Richardson's change of