British Cycling to ban transgender women from taking part in female category of its competitions

British Cycling is to ban transgender women from the female category of its competitions after a nine-month review and consultation. The female category will be «for those whose sex was assigned female at birth». Transgender women will be banned from taking part in competitive female events, but they can take part in the men's open category.

Ad The policy change means transgender cyclist Emily Bridges cannot compete in women’s competitions. Giro d'ItaliaHealy shakes hands with Pinot… then attacks again minutes later9 MINUTES AGO The 22-year-old was banned from competing in her first women’s event in Derby 14 months ago when she was due to face five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny. Bridges, who set a national junior men's record over 25 miles in 2018, came out as a transgender woman in October 2020.

She began hormone therapy last year to reduce her testosterone levels. British Cycling said in a statement: «Research studies indicate that even with the suppression of testosterone, transgender women who transition post-puberty retain a performance advantage. »Our aim in creating our policies has always been to advance and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, while at the same time prioritising fairness of competition.