Commonwealth Games officials admit that building work on the building in New Delhi is behind schedule but have warned the Indian organisers that they must not get the work done because they have to stage the sport.

 

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CG), said: "There is certainly no time to lose.

 

"The velodrome is behind schedule.

 

"All of that is acknowledged and admitted.

 

"The target completion date is March 2010, six months out from the Games.

 

"That is tight but it is do-able."

But Jacqui Davidson, the chief executive of Scottish Cycling, has expressed fears over the venue.

 

She said: "We are concerned.

 

"We're making all preparations in the belief that there will be track cycling.

 

"But we could be down to just a road race and a time trial."

 

Hooper said: "That's simply not acceptable, and we have said that to the organising committee."

 

Hooper said a visit of the CGF's Co-ordination Commission next month will check on the exact status of work on the velodrome.

 

The world governing body UCI have demanded a high-spec facility be built, because the Commonwealth Games are viewed as one of cycling's top events.

 

As a result, the design is for a top-class track inside an air-conditioned building.