Athlete in Focus: Matt Richardson
This week we’ve caught up with 2017 WAIS Junior Athlete of the Year nominee Matt Richardson to find out how he got into track cycling whilst we also learnt about his earlier sporting life as an elite gymnast.
- What made you first start participating in sprint track cycling?
I was approached by a member of Midland Cycling Club at a Track Grand Prix who was looking to get more people into the sport. I went to one of the club nights and loved it the first time I was on the boards.
- What is your favourite kind of training session and why?
I love a gate start session because it is what I’m best at and I am known for my fast gate start. Gate starts are all about perfect technique and raw power from a dead start.
- What is your biggest sporting achievement to date?
My biggest sporting achievement to date would be winning two national titles in February then being selected to represent Australia at the 2017 Junior World Championships which were held in Italy in August.
- What is your ultimate sporting goal?
My ultimate sporting goal is to become an Olympic gold medallist.
- What is your favourite thing to do away from your sport?
My favourite thing to do away from my sport would have to be working on and riding motorcycles.
- What is your biggest non-sporting achievement to date?
I’ve recently passed my motorbike test after only learning for two weeks.
- Nutrition is obviously a big part of being an athlete. What is your favourite meal to cook/eat?
I love to eat anything I cook but if I had to choose one, it would have to be a good lasagna.
- What does your weekly schedule look like?
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|
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
SATURDAY |
SUNDAY |
|
MORNING |
Gym |
Rest |
Gym and Ergo |
Work |
|
Gym and Ergo |
Road Ride |
|
AFTERNOON |
Track |
Work |
|
Road Ride |
Track |
|
|
|
EVENING |
Training |
Work |
MCC Club Training |
|
Sometimes Racing |
|
|
- What is an interesting fact about you that not many people know?
Before cycling I was a gymnast and used to train 26 hours a week at the High Performance Unit. I won multiple State and National medals.
