Riley Gaines brands female Illinois cyclist a ‘traitor to women’ after she DEFENDED two trans athletes who left her standing in third on the podium

Former college swimmer Riley Gaines has accused a female cyclist of being a “woman traitor” for defending two transgender athletes who beat her.

Kristin Chalmers finished third behind trans women Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships on December 3.

Their victory in the women's singlespeed category sparked outrage among female athletes and anti-transactionists, including Gaines.

Despite being defeated, Chalmers defended her transgender opponents in an open letter that was also signed by the event's other female competitors.

Former college swimmer Riley Gaines accused her of being a 'woman traitor' for defending the two transgender athletes who beat her

“We refuse to be falsely presented as victims in a manufactured controversy designed to further alienate and marginalize the most vulnerable within our community in service of rampant and harmful anti-LGBTQ+ legislation,” the letter said.

'We speak for ourselves: inclusion makes our sport and community stronger. Everyone is welcome here. Trans women are women.'

Chalmers said NBC it was 'ridiculous to say my life was ruined' by only finishing third in the race.

“I had a great race, and it would have been more boring if it had been a smaller field without such strong competitors,” she said.

Gaines accused Chalmers of “congratulating her own extermination” by supporting transgender athletes participating in women's sports.

“Chalmers may claim she's okay with losing to men, but female athletes like her have no right to voluntarily give up the integrity of competition for everyone,” she said.

“The majority of female athletes believe that women deserve respect and fair competition. She is a traitor to ethical and fair sport. And she is a traitor to women.

“Is this the so-called patriarchy they warned us about? Because when two men stand on top of a women's podium while women smile and step aside, I don't want to know what that is.”

Tessa Johnson competed in both the men's and women's categories at the Sky Express Winter Criterium in March 2020, where the cyclist took first place in the women's race but did not finish in the men's race

Event organizer Chicago CrossCup said it was following USA Cycling's participation policy for transgender athletes.

“Discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification… or any other stupid idea someone comes up with to disparage others will not be tolerated at CCC events and may result in disqualification and/or being asked to leave,” the website said.

Gaines previously offered to compensate female cyclists who boycotted USA Cycling races after Johnson and Williamson's victory.

“Any woman who gives in and doesn't participate, I will personally pay the prize money they are missing out on. Stop participating in the farce,” she wrote.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova added: “More mediocre male bodies are taking podium spots from female athletes. And it stinks!!!!'

Johnson and Williamson have been racing as women for years. Since 2017, Williamson has collected at least 18 titles in races across the country.

Williamson is in a polyamorous relationship with fellow transgender cyclist Austin Kilips (pictured together), who also competes in women's racing

Williamson and Johnson (pictured riding together) have both achieved significant success in the women's categories in recent years

Williamson is in a polyamorous relationship with fellow transgender cyclist Austin Kilips, who competes in women's races and became infamous for shoving a competitor during a race.

Williamson competed in both the men's and women's categories at the Sky Express Winter Criterium in March 2020, where she took first place in the race against women.

But she did not qualify for the men's race of 40 riders.

Johnson also won women's races, having previously competed in the men's categories while riding for Clemson University.

Williamson and Johnson won the Racing-Athletic Relay Cruise in Chicago as a couple on August 27, with the team name 'TS-Estrodolls' referring to an estrogen supplement that transgender women take.