A transgender cyclist again took first place in two women’s categories at a Chicago Cross Cup race last week, bringing her annual total to 10 gold medals in Windy City racing.
Tessa Johnson, 25, was victorious in the women’s Single Speed and Cat Half races at the Campton Cross competition on October 29.
Just before Halloween, photos on social media show that Johnson chose to participate in a Barbie-inspired costume.
Johnson’s win is the latest for the transgender competitor, who has sparked outrage by dominating female events in the region.
‘Women should boycott these events. He is a man with all the physical advantages. USA Cycling needs to adopt UCI standards and force these fake female riders to compete with the men,” a user named Mike wrote on Twitter.
Tessa Johnson (right) took first place in the women’s Single Speed and Cat Half races at the Campton Cross competition on October 29
Johnson (right) competed in a Barbie-inspired outfit during the pre-Halloween competition days
Johnson and fellow transgender cyclist Evelyn Williamson, 30, have taken the Chicago racing scene by storm.
At the Jackson Park Chicago Cross Cup race on October 7, Johnson won first place in the Women’s SingleSpeed and Cat Half and Williamson took second in the SingleSpeed.
The transgender duo won the Illinois women’s championship on August 31 at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome.
They also won the Racing-Athletic Relay Cross in Chicago on August 27, competing under the team name ‘TS-ESTRODOLLS’, in reference to the female hormone estrogen.
Johnson’s victories on October 29 sparked debate over the involvement of transgender athletes in sports.
Held at Anderson Park in Illinois’ Campton Township, there were more than a dozen different categories for men, women and juniors to race in.
While some were angry about Johnson’s victory, others celebrated. “Congratulations to Tessa,” one user wrote.
Williamson has made headlines for her romantic life after rumors emerged that she was in a ‘throuple’ with fellow transgender cyclist Austin Killips and a third unknown person.
Killips sparked widespread outrage after appearing to push female CycloCross champion Hannah Arensman during a race in December 2022. She then quit the sport completely after feeling that transgender athletes were ruining the sport.
Transgender cyclists Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson take gold and silver medals during the women’s race in Chicago on October 7
After Killips pushed her, Arensman said, “I fully expect that in cycling, as a full-body contact sport, you’re going to get hit at some point.”
“But when someone over six feet tall meets you, it’s very different. I tried to keep racing and not let it get into my head at all. However, that one instance captured on video felt unnecessary.”
Arensman left the sport completely this year after losing a podium place to the trans rider.
“A man, even if mediocre in the men’s field, is more than capable of breaking records and achieving podium finishes in the women’s races,” she added.
‘This is not a fair sport, and the governing bodies, who should have set the rules to begin with, need to realize that. The people who should protect our sport don’t do that.’
Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling’s world governing body, banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events after Killips won the Tour of the Gila in May.
Their website states the Chicago CrossCup said they welcome transgender athletes and follow USA Cycling’s Transgender Athlete Participation policy, which allows participants in non-elite races to self-select their gender.
Williamson and Johnson top the podium in August after winning the Illinois women’s championship
Williamson (left) reportedly had a ‘throuple’ relationship with Killips (second from left), which caused outrage after she appeared to push female CycloCross champion Hannah Arensman
The race organizers said: ‘The CCC has always been primarily concerned with fostering a positive and supportive community built around competitive CycloCross racing, and that means welcoming and challenging anyone who wants to contribute to and promote the series wants to improve.’
They noted: “Discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, membership in a sports ball team, or any other stupid idea that someone comes up with to disparage others . will not be tolerated.’
USA Cycling recently released a updated policy for transgender athletes which will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
The policy requires transgender cyclists competing in USA Cycling events to compete in categories, Group A or Group B, depending on their discipline and ability.