Trans-identified biological male wins women’s cycling event in New York, towers over 2nd, 3rd place competitors on podium

At the Randall’s Island Crit #3 over the weekend, transgender athlete Tiffany Thomas was seen at the top of the podium while two women followed in second and third place. A crit race, or criterium, is a lapped, closed-circuit race that usually takes place in cities, according to Bicycling.com.

Thomas is a member of LA Sweat, a cycling group for women. Thomas’ biography on the team’s website states, "Tiffany is a scientist by day, athlete by night. Her favorite organ are the blood cells. You will never see anyone with a bigger smile than when she sees a beautiful electron microscopy picture of a red cell. She has never met a barbell, a bike, or a dog that she doesn’t like. She is so incredibly excited to race and represent the LA Sweat team this year!!!"

According to Thomas’ career results, the athlete has come in first place in 15 races.

In a March 11 Instagram post, Thomas wrote in response to the Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles' CPAC speech, "I am tired. I missed a lift yesterday and just sat on the floor next to the barbell for a couple of minutes. My strength coach, Julia, asked me what I was thinking about during the lift. The truth was I was thinking about nothing and everything."

"I was thinking about the words 'eradicate transgenderism' that were spoken at the CPAC convention a couple of day prior," Thomas continued. "The erosion of LGBTQ+ rights over the previous year. Whether the places that we are planning on racing this summer are going to be safe for me to travel. If my existence on my team will come at the cost of lost sponsors and support to my teammates."

"There are a lot of unknowns. I am fortunate that I have the support of my team director, teammates, coaches, family, and friends. I will be okay, but I am scared. I think that most transgender people are scared right now. Most of us are just trying to make it through the day. Bikes and barbells continue to bring me joy so I will continue to pedal, lift heavy a@$ weights, and I will show up for my community because that is how we will make the world a better place. Eventually."

In a 2022 interview with NYC Bike Culture, Thomas said that race promoters have an "obligation" to implement firm policies in regard to those who "causes an aggressive response" to biological male athletes being included in women’s sports, and that these individuals be "relegated or they’re not allowed to come back, or something."