From being born male… to queen of the mountains: trans cyclist romping to victory in the women’s race

Cycling’s transgender rules have come under fire after a male-born cyclist won an international women’s road race last weekend.

Transgender woman Austin Killips took overall victory in the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico, USA – an elite race sanctioned by the UCI, the sport’s international governing body.

The 27-year-old American finished 89 seconds ahead of Italy’s Marcela Prieto in the overall standings and also claimed the Queen of the Mountains jersey.

Killips was able to compete in the women’s field under UCI’s current policy, which allows trans women to compete as long as their testosterone levels have been below 2.5 nanomoles per liter for at least 24 months.

The UCI even tightened its admission rules last year – halving the testosterone limit and doubling the transition period – shortly after a row broke out in Britain over the possible participation of Welsh trans woman Emily Bridges in a race with five-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Kenny.

Killips won the women’s race to claim £28,145 in prize money for taking first place

But cycling’s participation policy remains more lenient than that of athletics and swimming, where all trans women are prohibited from competing at an elite level in the women’s category.

Commenting on the Killips case, former British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies told Mail Sport: ‘This is beyond disappointing. Those in charge should be ashamed. The UCI is not suitable for that.’

Ex-Canadian world cycling champion Alison Sydor tweeted: “Current UCI rules allowing men to compete in women’s cycling events are not fair to female athletes.

“Time for the UCI to admit that this current regulatory situation is unsustainable and leaves a black mark on cycling as a fair sport for women.”

Killips rides for the Amy D Foundation – a team created in memory of former American professional cyclist Amy Dombroski, who died in 2013 at the age of 26, with the aim of promoting ‘participation, opportunity and equality for women in cycling’ .

After winning the Tour of the Gila, Killips wrote on Instagram, “This win was possible thanks to the community and connections I have been able to build over the years with cycling.

“After a week of nonsense on the internet, I am especially grateful to everyone in the peloton and the sport who continue to confirm that Twitter is not real.

“I love my colleagues and competitors and am grateful for every opportunity I get to learn and grow as a person and athlete on track together.”

Former British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies (pictured) has criticized the decision to allow Killips to participate

Killips (pictured) rides for the Amy D Foundation which was established in memory of American professional cyclist Amy Dombroski

Killips was the subject of controversy last December when she finished third at the US National Cyclocross Championships and was also accused of pushing another competitor off course.

Hannah Arensman, a 35-time winner on the cyclocross circuit, finished fourth in that race and later retired from the sport due to the rise of transgender riders.

She said, “In recent years I have had to race directly with male cyclists in women’s events.

“As this has become more of a reality, it has become more and more daunting to train as hard as I have only to have to lose to a man with the unfair advantage of an androgenized body that intrinsically gives him a clear advantage over me, which also happens. how hard I train.’