Women cyclists are ‘distressed’ that a transgender rider will race top female athletes this weekend but are too scared to speak out, it was claimed yesterday.

Emily Bridges, 21, will compete against five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny in the National Omnium Championships in Derby on Saturday.

But there has been backlash against the inclusion of Miss Bridges, who was on the Great Britain Academy program as a male rider and raced in men’s events as recently as last month.

She began hormone therapy last year and is now eligible to compete as a woman under British Cycling’s policy as she has lowered her testosterone to the required level.

She could now compete for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

She may also be selected for Team GB at the Olympics in Paris in 2024, where she could be in the same team pursuit line-up as Dame Laura.

The decision to allow Miss Bridges to ride in women’s events has been heavily criticized.

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Former Olympic medal-winning swimmer Sharron Davies says she has been contacted by a number of women cyclists who are afraid of the consequences of speaking out.

‘British Cycling ought to be ashamed of themselves,’ she said. ‘I have had quite a few of the girls very distressed on the phone. They are frustrated and disappointed.

‘They are all for inclusion but not at the loss of fairness and opportunities for biological females.

‘I can’t see how this isn’t sexual discrimination in the tallest order. Reducing testosterone does not mitigate male puberty advantage.

Read more: Daily Mail