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Two Men Competed in a Women's Cycling Race. Here's What Happened Next.

Madeline Leesman
Madeline Leesman  |  December 06, 2023 3:00 PM

Two men who believe they are “transgender women” competed in a women’s cycling event earlier this week. Predictably, the men came in first and second place. 

According to the New York Post, Tessa Johnson, 25, took first place in the women’s Single Speed category at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships on Sunday. Another male athlete, Evelyn Williamson, 30, placed second. 

Reportedly, Williamson raced in both men’s and women’s categories in 2020. He reportedly won first place as a woman at the Sky Express Winter Criterium and did not place against men.

Riley Gaines, a women’s sports advocate who tied against Will “Lia” Thomas in college swimming, reacted to the news.

“Any woman who doesn't compete and loses out on prize money, I will happily pay the fee out of my own pocket. In any sport,” Gaines wrote. “Stop. Playing. Their. Game.”

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Megyn Kelly called the situation "infuriating."

This is not the first time this scenario has occurred in cycling. Townhall covered how Johnson and Williamson placed first and second, respectively, at the Chicago Cyclocross Cup on October 7. 

Townhall also covered how Johnson came in first in the women’s Single Speed and women’s Cat Half races on October 29 at the Campton Cross Competition.