AN EMOTIONAL Rebecca Romero has slammed as ‘‘ludicrous’’ and ‘‘unnecessary’’ the proposed changes to the Olympic track cycling programme which would deny her the opportunity to defend her title at the London 2012 Games.

The 29-year-old, who won individual pursuit gold in Beijing last year four years after winning rowing silver in the quadruple sculls, is set to become a victim of changes suggested by cycling’s world governing body (the UCI) in a bid to equal the number of events for the genders.

Currently, there are seven male and three female track events, but the proposal would see both men’s and women’s individual pursuits, men’s and women’s points race and the men’s Madison disappear from the ten-event programme, in favour of sprints, keirins, team sprints, team pursuits and omniums for both sexes.

The new programme would leave Bradley Wiggins and Romero, who beat team-mate Wendy Houvenaghel to gold at the Laoshan Velodrome last August, without individual titles to defend.

Romero believes the proposals, which are set to be ratified by the International Olympic Committee in December, ‘‘could potentially destroy track cycling’’.

‘‘I was very shocked,’’ she told.

‘‘I’m all in favour of making it fairer between males and females, but I just think these proposed changes are ludicrous and could potentially destroy track cycling.

‘‘I think it’s too radical and unnecessary and I can’t understand the reasoning behind it.

‘‘I thought changes to the Olympic programme were supposed to create inclusion and I just see that it will create exclusion to have such big changes.

‘‘If the IOC let it go through then there has to be some reasoning behind it – I’d like to have it explained to me.’’ As well as triumphing in the individual pursuit in Beijing, the Carshalton-born rider finished 11th in the points race – another event which is to be scrapped in moves which favour sprinters, such as Victoria Pendleton.

‘‘I’ve lost two of my events that I could potentially medal in in London,’’ Romero added.

‘‘I think we should move towards equality between males and females in the medals available, but I just think this isn’t equality in terms of sprint and endurance riders.

‘‘You’re taking away, essentially, with regards to the individual pursuit, one of the purest forms of competition that there is on the track for an athlete.

‘‘I’m just disappointed that I won’t be able to go and defend my title in London.’’