Transgender cyclist Rachel McKinnon has accused one of her opponents of 'poor sportsmanship'.

The 37-year-old retained her sprint title at the Masters Track World Championships in Manchester, with Dawn Orwick taking the silver medal.

However, the champion felt that following the race Orwick had attempted a show of defiance against her by putting her hand behind her back.

McKinnon said on Twitter: "Third place, Kirsten (Herup Sovange), wore my 'sport is a human right' sticker as a sign of solidarity.

"Second place kept her distance and put her hand behind her back as her own sign. Signifying something like poor sportsmanship."

Piers Morgan and Donald Trump Jr were among those who criticised McKinnon's inclusion in the race, arguing that she shouldn't be allowed to compete.

Meanwhile, Orwick, who represents the US, told the MailOnline: "Rachel McKinnon was the strongest woman in the competition, she won fair and square. 

"I strongly support women’s rights and equality in all aspects - that is every woman, no exceptions.

"I know she wasn’t born a woman, but she is a woman now and she fulfils the demands for testosterone levels set to compete." 

Before the championships McKinnon said it would be a denial of her 'human rights' to exclude her from competing. 

The cyclist has ruled out qualifying for the Olympics due to a crash she suffered in July.