Two transgender cyclists took home gold and silver at a women’s cycling event in Chicago — sparking fresh controversy as only one biological female made the podium.
Tessa Johnson, 25, won first place in the Women’s Single Speed and Cat Half categories at the Chicago CycloCross Cup (CCC) on October 7, while Evelyn Williamson, 30, placed second in the Single Speed contest.
Their efforts left only one biological female on the podium for the Single Speed race — Allison Zmuda.
For her success in the women’s Cat Half, Johnson won $150, and Williamson received $75 in prize money for placing fourth.
Records show Williamson has been racing in the women’s category since at least 2017, earning 18 titles.
But in 2020, she appeared to compete in both the men and women’s categories at the Sky Express Winter Criterium, where she won first place as a woman — but did not place against the men.
The annual event features over a dozen different races and openly welcomes trans riders.
“If you have found your way to a CCC event to race your bike and hopefully have some fun in the process… then you’re welcome here,” organizers say on the website.
“The CCC has always been first and foremost about fostering a positive and supportive community built around competitive cyclo-cross racing, and that means welcoming and challenging everyone who wants to contribute to the series and make it better,” it says.
“Discrimination or harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, sportsball team affiliation, or any other stupid ideas someone comes up with to belittle others will not be tolerated.”
Williamson and Johnson have previously won the Racing-Athletic Relay Cruise in Chicago on August 27, competing under the team name “TS-Estrodolls,” referring to the estrogen transgender women take.
They then went on to triumph in the Illinois State Championship in Madison.
Former track and field coach Linda Blade was among those calling out race organizers for allowing the riders to compete in the women’s categories.
They then went on to triumph in the Illinois State Championship in Madison.
“Race organizers of @USAcycling need to stop calling these ‘women’s events.’ You are fooling nobody,” she tweeted. “These are ‘beta-male races’ where some women get to be involved.”
“In the process, you are turning your ‘sport’ into a joke.”
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