sport news British Cycling BAN transgender women from racing in female competition to ... trends now

British Cycling have banned transgender women from racing in the female category at all events to ‘safeguard the fairness of competition’.

The national governing body’s new policy ends transgender rider Emily Bridges’ dream of competing for Great Britain or Wales in women’s races and puts pressure on the sport’s international federation, the UCI, to strengthen their own rules.

British Cycling will change their current men’s category to an ‘open’ category, where transgender women can compete against other male-born riders, while the female category will be reserved for those who were female at birth.

The new policy relates to all competitive activity – any race or event involving timing, ranking or prizes – and will come into force in full by the end of this year. Transgender women will still be allowed to ride with women in non-competitive cycling settings, such as the Breeze community programme.

‘Our new policies are the product of a robust nine-month review process, which we know will have a very real-world impact for our community both now and in the future,’ said British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton. ‘I am confident that we have developed policies that both safeguard the fairness of cyclesport competition, whilst ensuring all riders have opportunities to participate.’

British Cycling’s previous rules allowed transgender women to compete in the female category providing they had lowered their testosterone levels to below five nanomoles per litre over a 12-month period.

However, they suspended that policy in April last year after Bridges – who was previously on Great Britain’s Academy as a male rider named Zach – attempted to enter the women’s race at the National Omnium Championships, where she would have come up against five-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny.

British Cycling then began a consultation with female and transgender riders and reviewed the

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