GREAT Britain boss Neil Middleditch revealed he had tried to convince Lee Richardson to return to the national team.

Richardson quit Team GB in February 2011 citing certain financial issues as his reason for walking away.

The 33-year-old rode in 10 World Cups, racking up 240 points from 21 events to sit first on the all-time GB points-scoring list.

Middleditch told the Echo: “Lee pulled out of the England scene a few years ago, but he and I were good mates and we spoke only this year. I tried to convince him to come back to Team GB, but I appreciated his views on why he didn’t want to do it.

“He wasn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers and he certainly put his views across.”

Middleditch confirmed the Great Britain squad would race in replicas of Richardson’s kevlars when the World Cup gets under way later this summer.

He added: “It was Tai Woffinden’s idea, but we are going to have replicas of Lee’s kevlars made up for the World Cup this year as a tribute to him. I have spoken to Alex Harkess from the BSPA and he is all for it.

“Lee was so good in the World Cup, but I think my fondest memory would be 2004 when we finished second.

“The emotion that ran through the camp that year was incredible. I was proud to be the manager and Lee epitomised how I wanted the boys to ride – as soon as that suit went on, he was fully focused on the racing.”

Pirates meeting against Richardson’s Lakeside tomorrow will go ahead, but Middleditch admitted the evening would be an emotionally-charged affair.

He said: “Life has to go on. I haven’t seen Lee’s incident and I don’t want to – I couldn’t bear to watch it. All I know is that it was a back wheel job and I know how that can end up.

“With regard to tomorrow, what do you say to the boys? We will ride in Lee’s memory and dedicate the meeting to him, but it is going to be very hard to race.

“It might seem callous that we are going to ride, but you can’t stop. We have to go on, but Lee won’t be forgotten.”