Trans-Identified Male Cyclist Wins North Carolina Women's Race By A Full 5 Minutes

Transgenderism grows bigger and more mainstream by the day, appearing in everything from the entertainment industry to academia to women's sports. When William "Lia" Thomas, a male swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania who was ranked 462nd, decided to declare himself transgender, he joined the women's swim team and promptly started breaking records and winning medals. Although Thomas' suddenly flourishing career was featured on national news, there's a growing number of trans-identified male athletes who are disrupting women's sports all over the country. A male cyclist in North Carolina has just been added to the list after he won big against female athletes.

Trans-Identified Male Cyclist Wins Women's Race by a Full Five Minutes

In a turn of events that has sparked controversy, cyclist Austin Killips, 27, has clinched a decisive victory in the Belgian Waffle Ride, a grueling 137-mile cycling event held in North Carolina. Killips, a man who calls himself a trans woman, outpaced the competition, finishing a staggering five minutes ahead of his closest rival. By the 13th mile, he had established a lead that remained unchallenged, while female riders Paige Onweller and Flavia Oliveira had to contend with second and third places, respectively.

The triumphant cyclist attributed his win to relentless effort and a determined strategy. "It was just a grueling effort. I am just really proud to lay it out there and get the result. I asserted myself and was able to get a gap early," he said in an interview following the race.

This victory is not without its detractors, however, as Onweller, in her post-race commentary, suggested a separate category for trans athletes to level the playing field, citing the biological advantage she believed Killips held.

Onweller wrote in a blog post, "Underneath all helmets is a face and a person who deserves respect, dignity, and a safe space to ride bikes. In the future, I feel a separate category may be appropriate, but event promoters are also learning what is best to preserve both female cycling while also creating an inclusive space for all to ride."

The participation of trans athletes in sports has consistently made headlines, with critics arguing that going through puberty as a male endows many trans women with biological advantages over cisgender women. Supporters, on the other hand, highlight hormone guidelines intended to equalize the competition, although some research suggests these measures do not fully negate the inherent advantage.

The organizers of the Belgian Waffle Ride acknowledged the complexity of the situation and pledged to develop an official policy addressing trans athlete participation. They stated, "With this in mind, we completely realize we have to create an official policy that addresses this important subject. We know we have to take this on ourselves with the hope others will follow suit."

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the global governing body for cycling, has defended its policies on transgender participation, stating they are based on current scientific knowledge and applied consistently. However, they did not dismiss the possibility of amendments as time goes on (and more trans-identified athletes compete against women).

This is not Killips' first win. He has been competing in women's cycling events since 2022, with several of his victories previously reported. However, controversy ensued when he was seen seemingly trying to push female cyclist Hannah Arensman off the race course during the UCI Cyclocross National Championships in December 2022, which contributed to Arensman's decision to retire early from the sport.

Killips' victory at the Belgian Waffle Ride further fuels the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes' participation in sports. As sporting bodies worldwide grapple with developing fair and inclusive policies, it remains clear that this complex issue will continue to be a focal point in the world of sports.

No matter how many hormone blockers a man may take or how he makes himself appear in same-sex spaces, nothing will change his biology. Men don't only have a different hormonal makeup, but their heart and brain are larger than women's, their skin is thicker, they have greater cardiovascular capability, they have more muscle mass, and more. Our bodies are completely different, and no matter how they appear on the outside or how many surgeries they get, they will never be able to fully transform their male bodies into a female one. Which means they will never be fully equal to women, especially in the world of sports.

There has been much backlash on social media since Killips won in North Carolina. Many people have expressed their disgust at how often men are being permitted to infiltrate women's sports in such an unfair way. Some have pointed out the fact that this would have never happened if the women simply refused to play along with this charade. After all, if none of the female athletes showed up to the start line, there would be no race for the man to win, let alone win by five full minutes.

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