Emily Bridges: The UCI can disqualify transgender cyclists from competing even if they meet the eligibility criteria

Emily Bridges previously set a junior men’s national record over 25 miles and was selected to join British Cycling’s Senior Academy in 2019

The World Federation of Cycling has the power to bar transgender cyclist Emily Bridges from competing in women’s events, even if she meets her eligibility criteria.

UCI regulations require riders to have had testosterone levels of less than five nanomoles per liter for a 12-month period prior to competition.

However, the same regulations state that the UCI must create conditions that “protect health and safety” and “guarantee fair and meaningful competition that demonstrates and rewards the fundamental values ​​and importance of sport”.

It is understood that senior cycling figures believe these discretionary powers are relevant in the case of 21-year-old Bridges.

The UCI regulations go on to say that they want athletes “to be incentivized to make the tremendous commitments it takes to excel in sport” and “don’t want to risk discouraging them”.

Meanwhile, British cycling’s performance director Stephen Park believes the inclusion of transgender athletes is the “biggest single problem facing the Olympic sport” at the moment.

“It’s important to have the discussion and understand the challenges of the sport,” he said.

bridges was scheduled to participate at the National Omnium Championships in Derby on Saturday – her first women’s event.

However, British Cycling said on Wednesday it had been informed by the UCI that “under their current guidelines, Emily is not eligible to compete”.

The UCI told British Cycling that Bridges would not be allowed to compete until their eligibility to compete in international competitions was confirmed, as international ranking points are awarded at national championship events. This process is currently ongoing.

But on Friday, Bridges, who started hormone therapy last year as part of her treatment for gender dysphoria, said she was on hormone therapy “little clarity” to determine their ineligibility.

` Sport understands that prior to her ejection from Saturday’s championships, there were discussions among British drivers about taking action against Bridges’ inclusion, but they feared speaking out would be interpreted as transphobic.

It is also understood that safety officers from both British Cycling and Welsh Cycling are in regular contact with Bridges.

Despite her absence, the only form of protest in Derby against the once-possible inclusion of Bridges was three banners reading ‘Save Women’s Sport’ which were held up during the women’s races.

The women’s professional cycling union, the Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), said both British Cycling and the UCI “have demonstrated unfairness in failing to meet their own eligibility criteria” and called for “transparent clarification” of the decision, Bridges banned from participating in the derby.

Earlier in the week, UCI President David Lappartient told ` Sport that the rules on allowable testosterone levels in transgender athletes were “probably insufficient”.

TCA agreed with Lappartient that the “existing UCI transgender policies are inadequate and need to be addressed”.

Bridges previously set a junior national record over 25 miles and was selected to join British Cycling’s Senior Academy in 2019.

She came out as transgender in one for the first time Interview with Sky Sportsexternal link in October 2020 and has spoken about wanting to change the culture and representation in elite cycling.

While on hormone therapy, Bridges continued to compete in men’s races.

In May 2021 she finished 43rd out of 45 riders in the Elite Men’s Criterion at the Loughborough Cycling Festival and in September she finished second to last, a 12 km lap behind the winner, in the Welsh National Championship road race. In February, Bridges won a men’s points race at the British Universities Championships in Glasgow – her last men’s race.

“Nobody should have to choose between being who they are and competing in the sport they love,” she said.

“I’m an athlete and I just want to start racing again. I hope they will reconsider their decision in accordance with the regulations.”