Transgender cyclist banned from women’s National Omnium Championships after ruling

Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges will not compete in her first women’s event at the National Omnium Championships, after a ruling by cycling’s world governing body. 

Bridges began hormone therapy last year as part of her gender dysphoria treatment and now has testosterone levels low enough to compete in women’s events. 

However, British Cycling said in a statement on Wednesday that the Union Cycliste Internationale had judged that under their guidelines, Bridges was not eligible to participate in the event. 

“We have been in close discussions with the UCI regarding Emily’s participation this weekend and have also engaged closely with Emily and her family regarding her transition and involvement in elite competitions,” British Cycling said.

“We acknowledge the decision of the UCI with regards to Emily’s participation, however, we fully recognise her disappointment with today’s decision.

“Transgender and non-binary inclusion is bigger than one race and one athlete – it is a challenge for all elite sports.”

Bridges is a 21-year-old trans athlete, who started cycling in 2010, aged just nine. 

In May 2021, she finished 43rd out of 45 riders in the elite men’s criterium at the Loughborough Cycling Festival and in September she came second last in the Welsh National Championship road race. 

Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Bridges said racing in women’s events was always the plan. 

British Cycling confirm trans woman cyclist Emily Bridges is now unable to compete in National Omnium Championships

– Told it is a ' technically' as Bridges has to wait until current UCI registration runs out to compete as a woman

– But was talk of a boycott by GB female riders pic.twitter.com/URSXWWLQYr

“After starting hormone therapy I didn’t want to