Commonwealth Games 2018: Admin error sees England cyclist Melissa Lowther not allowed to race

The 21-year-old was set to line up in the women's time trial only to discover on the eve of the race that an official had failed to tick a box on her entry form

Melissa Lowther was stopped from competing in the women's time trial (@mellowther / Instagram)

Team England have been left with serious questions to answer after cyclist Melissa Lowther was left unable to race at the Commonwealth Games because of an 'administrative error'.

The 21-year-old was set to line up in the women's time trial only to discover on the eve of the race that an official had failed to tick a box on her entry form and she would therefore no longer be able to do so.

Team England chef de mission Sarah Winckless has moved to offer apologies to Lowther who is said to be devastated by the situation.

"I have spoken to Melissa to offer my sincere apologies to her, her coaches and to British Cycling," Winckless said.

"Melissa has trained hard for and focussed on this race and it should never be the case that an error on our part prevents an athlete showing what she can do.

"We appealed to the Commonwealth Games Federation to allow Melissa into the race. It was not possible at such short notice.

"Team England will be conducting a review to understand how the situation has arisen and how it can be prevented from happening again."