“This was a decision jointly reached by the team management and Richard,” a British Cycling statement read. “The riders in Doha will instead be supported by the UCI medical team at the worlds, alongside the usual Great Britain cycling team support staff.”

UKAD investigators have already visited the National Cycling Centre in Manchester to investigate the allegations of wrongdoing.

Though portrayed by some as a ‘raid’, Team Sky issued a statement to deny that was the case, reiterating their commitment to clean competition.

“Some newspapers this morning [Saturday] have reported that Team Sky and British Cycling were ‘raided’ by UKAD,” read the Team Sky statement.

“This was not the case. UKAD have confirmed that attended a meeting with British Cycling at the velodrome in Manchester with their full co-operation.

“We welcome this investigation as we are confident there has been no wrongdoing. We take these issues seriously and we will co-operate fully with UKAD.”

Freeman, on the other hand, has denied Tiernan-Locke’s allegations, according to BBC Sport.

The allegations also follow the controversy surrounding the use of TUEs in the professional peloton, which – while fully within the laws of cycling – have been questioned on moral grounds.

Wiggins applied for TUEs for triamcinolone ahead of the 2011 Tour de France, 2012 Tour de France and 2013 Giro d’Italia in order to combat asthma and pollen-related allergies.

However, questions have been asked – including by Tiernan-Locke – as to why it was only ever ahead of the Grand Tours that Wiggins needed the TUE.

Wiggins himself has countered such criticism by reiterating the therapeutic use exemptions were approved by both British authorities and the UCI.

He told BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “This was to cure a medical condition. This wasn’t about trying to find a way to gain an unfair advantage.

“This was about putting myself back on a level playing-field in order to compete at the highest level.”

A UKAD spokeswoman confirmed the investigations into Team Sky and British Cycling, stating: “UK Anti-Doping is investigating allegations of wrongdoing within cycling.

“In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not comment further.”