Trans cyclists win FIRST and SECOND place in women’s bicycle race—female comes in third

25-year-old Tessa Johnson took first, while Evelyn Williamson, 30, placed second in the October 7 race, according to the Daily Mail. The duo has previously faced backlash over taking top spots at several women’s cycling races.

The only biological to take the podium, receiving the bronze medal, was Allison Zmuda.

Johnson and Williamson were able to complete a full fifth lap over Zmuda, with the two finishing at 38:48 and 40:20, respectively. Zmuda, while finishing at 33:47, only completed four laps.

Johnson’s fasted lap time 7:27 and Williamson’s 7:54, coming in faster than Zmuda’s 8:19 fastest lap.

Johnson also took first in the Women’s Cat Half, with a time of 43:49, compared to second place finisher and biological female Lauren Wiscomb’s 46:22.

In the women’s Cat Half, Johnson took in $150 in prize money, while Williamson, who placed fourth, took $75.

The CycloCross Cup race took place at Jackson Park in Chicago, Illinois from October 7 to 8, and is part of a series of races taking place throughout the fall.

Chicago CycloCross Cup states that transgender racers are "welcome here," adding that the cup "has always been first and foremost about fostering a positive & 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."

The cup follows USA Cycling’s Transgender Athlete Participation policies, which went into effect in July.

These rules state that for non-elite competition levels, "a member may self-select their gender."

"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 idea someone comes up with to belittle others will not be tolerated at CCC events and may result in disqualification and/or being asked to leave," the cup states on its website.

Williamson has been competing in the women’s category since at least 2017, winning 18 titles, and Johnson was named the 2022 Illinois State Cyclocross champion in the women’s SingleSpeed.