Following the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)'s recent policy change prohibiting transgender women who transitioned after puberty from competing in elite women's events, cyclist Austin Killips has voiced strong disapproval. Killips, who earlier this year made history as the first openly transgender woman to win a UCI stage race, shared her disappointment and frustration on Instagram and SubStack.

Killips expressed devastation at the UCI's reversal of its previous inclusion framework, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment cycling has brought her and arguing that no one should be denied the opportunity to pursue their passion. She further attributed the UCI's decision to a "cabal of right wingers" who, she believes, exploited her success to advance their agenda against transgender inclusion in sports.

Killips acknowledged her role in pushing the boundaries of inclusion, making her a target in this larger debate. While expressing a desire to rectify the perceived injustice stemming from the UCI's decision, she stressed the importance of advocating for future transgender athletes who dream of competing in cycling. She highlighted the efforts of those who paved the way for her career and emphasized her commitment to ensuring others have the same opportunities.

Killips' victory at the Tour of the Gila earlier this year initially brought the UCI's transgender participation rules into the national spotlight. The organization defended its stance at the time before ultimately revising its policy. Her subsequent win at the Belgian Waffle Ride in North Carolina further fueled the conversation, leading the event organizers to announce the creation of an open category.

The UCI's policy shift follows a July 5th meeting where the governing body determined that current scientific understanding cannot guarantee the elimination of physical advantages gained through male puberty, even with hormone therapy. The new rule, effective Monday, renames the men's category to "Men/Open" and directs athletes who don't meet the women's category criteria to this category. This change comes after the UCI had previously adjusted its rules last year, requiring athletes to maintain serum testosterone levels of 2.5 nanomoles per liter or less for at least 24 months before competing in women's events, doubling the required time frame and lowering the acceptable testosterone level.