:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/7adf2b84-b746-11ec-bea1-02d1dbdc35d1.jpg "Transgender cyclists not welcome at UK race | bicycle")
Bridges came out as transgender in 2020 and was set to compete in the national omnium championships last weekend, having shown that her testosterone levels have been reduced to the required limit. The British Federation decided to accept it in line with its policy on the participation of transgender and non-binary people, but the international cycling union UCI blocked its participation. The British Federation then decided to review its participation policy.
“Due to policy differences between British Cycling and UCI, it is currently possible for transgender athletes to qualify for domestic races while their business is still running at UCI. It is unfair to all female drivers and is a challenge to the integrity of racing,” the British federation wrote on its website. “Therefore, management have chosen to stop the current policy immediately. We will review the policy next week.”
According to British Cycling Federation rules, which were amended in January, a transgender person must have a certain (low) testosterone value twelve months before participating in the women’s race to be able to start. The decision to allow 21-year-old Bridges to compete in the British Championship was met with opposition. “It’s unfair to pit Laura Kenny and another Bridges rider against a rival with the biological advantage of a man,” former swimmer Sharron Davies told The Times newspaper.
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