Philadelphia – The general manager of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) women’s team Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28, Nicola Cranmer, publicly condemned the appearance of a biological male trans athlete in the recent Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Cranmer, who has spent more than two decades building opportunities for female cyclists, said protecting the integrity of the women’s category is essential for the sport’s future.
Call for clear, consistent rules
“I have spent over 20 years working in women’s cycling and creating opportunities for female athletes, so I feel strongly about protecting the integrity and fairness of the women’s category,” Cranmer told OutKick. She urged the UCI and USA Cycling to enforce eligibility requirements that are transparent and applied equally to every competitor.
The athlete in question, identified as Amanda Tait, entered the race with a valid international racing license. Race officials cross‑checked the license against UCI records and found no indication that Tait was ineligible. However, once Tait was recognized in the peloton, officials removed her under the race’s standard time‑cut procedures before any formal eligibility review could be completed.
Officials say licensing appeared correct
A race official explained that the licensing information provided by USA Cycling indicated Tait was cleared to compete in a UCI women’s event. “Eligibility determinations of this kind are the responsibility of USA Cycling, not individual officials working registration or the race,” the official said. The official added that there was “no apparent failure by the local registration team” based on the data they received.
USA Cycling’s policy, which took effect in September 2025, defines a female as a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell. Eligibility is initially based on self‑certification and an original birth certificate or other reliable documentation. Critics argue that this language creates a loophole that could be exploited in states where sex markers can be amended.
Impact on women’s competition
Cranmer warned that allowing a biological male to compete against women raises “legitimate questions about whether the process was consistent with current UCI policy.” She emphasized that respecting individuals begins with respecting the female category, where athletes deserve a protected competitive environment that is fair, safe, and confidence‑building.
Trans athlete Amanda Tait has competed in more than 60 women’s events since moving from USA Cycling’s development category to the professional level in just 18 months. Tait placed fourth at the USA Cycling Masters and Junior Road National Championships in June, even pushing Olympic gold‑medalist Gwen Jorgensen out of the top five.
Broader debate in cycling
The controversy echoes a 2023 dispute involving trans cyclist Austin Killips, whose dominant performances sparked similar concerns about fairness in women’s cycling. Pro‑life and family‑focused advocates have criticized USA Cycling’s current language as too weak to adequately protect the women’s division.
USA Cycling retains sole authority to challenge a rider’s category status, leaving female competitors, team staff, and race marshals without an independent mechanism to contest eligibility on race day. OutKick reached out to USA Cycling’s Bonnie Walker and the UCI for comment, but received no response before publication.
What this means for local cyclists
For cyclists and fans in Virginia and across the nation, the incident underscores the need for clear, enforceable standards that safeguard women’s sport. As the sport’s governing bodies consider revisions, stakeholders are urging that any policy changes prioritize the safety and fairness of female athletes while respecting the dignity of all participants.
While the race concluded without a formal eligibility ruling, the episode has ignited a conversation that will likely shape future UCI and USA Cycling policies. The hope expressed by Cranmer and many others is that a transparent, consistent framework will emerge, ensuring that women’s cycling remains a level playing field for those who have dedicated their lives to the sport.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
