Richards has suffered a difficult year, struggling with back injuries since February before testing positive for COVID-19 last month.

"I have had a pretty rubbish year so far, probably one of my worst years I've ever had," said 25-year-old Richards, before the Birmingham 2022 event at Cannock Chase Forest.

"In February I started the mountain bike season with a stage race and since then I've just had a really bad back.

"I've finished nearly every race in tears and over half of them I haven't finished.

"I've been in so much pain.

"If I manage to win gold it will definitely turn the year around.

"The Commonwealth Games and Olympics is all I ever dreamt of doing.

"Obviously, I would love to a win a gold medal somewhere so close to home, it would mean the world, but I have to be realistic."

The course in Cannock Chase Forest was opened in May after funding was secured to develop it from Sport England, British Cycling and local councils.

Defending champion Gaze will be joined by compatriot Ben Oliver as the only remaining New Zealanders in the men's field after Anton Cooper was ruled out after also contracting coronavirus in England.

At Gold Coast 2018, Gaze received heavy criticism for unsportsmanlike behaviour towards silver medallist Cooper and was fined CHF200 (£170/$210/€205) after he showed his compatriot his middle finger.

Gaze was unhappy with Cooper attacking while he had a puncture repaired.

This year's competition marks the fifth time mountain biking haas been included in the Commonwealth Games.