After Killips, wearing the pink-polka dot mountain jersey, was first to the finish line on the fifth final stage in New Mexico, victory celebrations awaited – and hate on social media against her being allowed to participate in the women's class as a transgender person, a debate that has raged since the race ended April 30.
The organizer turned off the comments section on its website.
"I think it was a personal attack that was deeply offensive," Killips told Cyclingnews.
In athletics and swimming, international federations have banned transgender women who have undergone male puberty from participating in competitions at the highest level. In cycling, this restriction does not exist, but you can participate if the testosterone level has been below 2.5 nanomoles per liter for the past two years.
"Not unlike doping"
This regulation upsets many in cycling. American Hannah Arensman has ended her career in protest against being allowed to compete against trans women. She even took the case to court.
"Going from the men's to the women's category is not unlike doping," Alison Sydor, who has an Olympic silver medal on her CV, wrote on Twitter.
Former elite cyclist Inga Thompson claims that there are 50 active trans women and that women are at risk of languishing in the sport.
Killips started his cycling career in 2019 and is on hormone therapy. The American Cycling Association confirms that Killips is within the testosterone levels that apply.
"Somehow it's worse than it was ten years ago, we're a real, political target for a frightening political movement," she told Cyclingnews.