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 chief executive Jon Dutton has confirmed transgender women will be banned from racing in all female events The rules end hopes for Emily Bridges to compete for Great Britain or Wales in women’s races 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 available medical evidence, concluding that ‘even with the suppression of testosterone, trans women who transition post-puberty retain a performance advantage’. That is the key medical reason for the landmark policy change and they have taken advice from sports and equality lawyers, Mills & Reeve, to ensure their new rules comply with the Equality Act should they receive any legal challenges. British Cycling attempted to contact around 10 known transgender and non-binary riders – including Bridges – to inform them of the new policy prior to it being published. ‘I am sorry that it’s taken so long to get to this point,’ said Dutton, who only began his role last month. ‘We appreciate this has been an incredibly difficult period. It has caused anxiety, uncertainty and distress for many riders and we have a duty of care to support those people. ‘But today is about leadership and giving that absolute clarity and direction to remove that uncertainty, however difficult that may be. On the competitive policy, fairness is absolutely the driving factor.’ British Cycling’s announcement comes less than four weeks after the sport’s latest transgender storm, when American Austin Killips won the Tour of the Gila – the first transgender rider to triumph at an official UCI stage race. The UCI currently allow transgender women to compete in female events as long as they have reduced their testosterone levels to 2.5 nmol/L over a two-year period. However, in the wake of the Killips row, they announced they will be ‘reopening consultation’ regarding their rules and will decide on any changes by August, when it is likely they too will ban transgender women from the female category. American Austin Killips became the first transgender rider to win an official UCI stage race In the meantime, British Cycling and the UCI have different policies - but Dutton confirmed that Great Britain teams for international events will be selected under the new national rules. British Cycling’s move follows that of other sports in recent months, with World Athletics, UK Athletics, World Aquatics and British Triathlon all among the governing bodies who have recently banned transgender women from the female category and are moving towards changing their men’s category to open. ‘We have always been very clear that this is a challenge far greater than one sport,’ added Dutton. ‘We remain committed to listening to our communities and working with our fellow sporting bodies to monitor changes in the scientific and policy landscape, to ensure that sport is inclusive for all. ‘We have been open and transparent with the UCI on our decision and will work collaboratively with them to ensure a seamless implementation over the coming months.’ All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility