Transgender cyclists no longer allowed in women’s category in British TTs

The governing body for time trialling in England, Scotland and Wales, Cycling Time Trials (CTT), announced that transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in the female category. This follows the recent policy update by British Cycling concerning transgender cyclists competing in the women’s category. According to the update, only individuals who were assigned female at birth will be eligible to compete. This measure followed a nine-month review conducted by the federation.

Updated policy for time trials

CTT posted a statement and that the updated policy is a result of “extensive internal work and insight from other sports’ governing bodies.” The governing body has also created a new “open” category.

“TT’s purpose is to facilitate and run time trials–where each competitor rides alone ‘against the clock’ for a set distance or time. By its nature, time trialling is a ‘gender-affected sport’; which by definition means that the strength, stamina and physique of the average competitor of one gender is different from another.

Following extensive internal work and insight from other sports’ governing bodies, CTT has made this decision as it is certain that transgender women can retain the physical advantages gained by a male when going through male puberty, and this does not support a level and fair playing field for competition.

The team emphasizes that all transgender persons and non-binary persons are very welcome to continue taking part in competitive time trialling, and following in the footsteps of British Cycling have renamed the male category to ‘open’. Non-binary persons (persons who affirm that they are neither male nor female) will also be invited to compete in this category.)”

Three requirements

The new policy  goes on to state that there will be three requirements. “Those competing in the female category are able to satisfy all the following requirements:1) Their sex assigned at birth was female, and 2) They must not have undergone any part of male puberty, and 3) Their testosterone serum level must be below 2.5 nmol/L if tested.

The Board of CTT will create a new body, a Gender Tribunal, to decide gender eligibility issues and provide sensitive guidance to those affected by this policy.”

British Cycling announces controversial new policy on transgender cyclists

During the British National Championships held in April 2022, a notable incident took place involving British athlete Emily Bridges, who is transgender. In an unexpected last-minute decision, Bridges was denied the opportunity to compete on the track. This turn of events left Bridges perplexed, as the federation did not provide a satisfactory explanation for their action.

Bridges posted on Instagram about the decision. “British Cycling is a failed organization. The racing scene is dying under your watch, and all you do is take money from petrochemical companies and engage in culture wars. You don’t care about making sport more diverse, you want to make yourself look better, and you’re even failing at that. Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there, and you couldn’t care less.”

Adam Roberge and Austin Killips victorious at Belgian Waffle Ride in North Carolina

The UCI has also announced it will be revisiting its policy on the matter when they meet in Glasgow in August. This follows American Austin Killips, who is trans, having won The Tour of Gila in May.