Ashgabat was scheduled to stage the event from October 13 to 17, but the UCI said it had been forced to find an alternative host at the request of the Organising Committee.

Turkmenistan has reported no cases and no deaths from coronavirus, but the UCI claimed "health constraints and restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible to stage the event in the country".

It leaves the UCI needing to secure a new host, although there is a strong suggestion the event could be moved to Scottish city Glasgow.

The UCI posted a message on social media yesterday, saying the competition will now take place in Glasgow, before removing it moments later.

"The UCI is currently in contact with several potential alternative organisers with a view to moving the event to another venue on the same dates," a statement from the UCI read.

"The name of the new host city will be communicated as soon as possible."

Turkmenistan was awarded the rights to stage the 2021 Track Cycling World Championships in 2018 despite concerns over the country’s record on human rights.

The country's President, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is a keen cyclist and was controversially awarded the UCI Order last year.

German capital Berlin hosted last year’s event where The Netherlands topped the medals table with six golds, two silvers and one bronze.