A controversial cycling event unfolded in Livermore, California, as three transgender athletes competed in the women’s division of the Oakland Grand Prix.
The women’s fixed gear race saw Liam “Li” King dominate from the opening moments, maintaining control throughout the competition to claim victory. King was joined by Jordan Johnson and Connor “Chelsea” Wolfe in the female category, creating what observers described as an uneven playing field for biological female competitors.
Representatives from the advocacy organization WomenAreReal witnessed the event and expressed their concerns about the competitive dynamics. “He dominated this race from the start. It wasn’t even really a race at all,” the group posted online following the event.
The race attracted attention beyond the cycling community, with women’s rights advocates arriving to voice their opposition to male participation in female sports categories. Protesters displayed signs with messages including “NO MALES IN FEMALE CYCLING,” directly challenging USA Cycling’s current policies that permit transgender athletes to compete in women’s divisions.
According to Beth Bourne from WomenAreReal, the demonstration quickly escalated into confrontational territory. She reported experiencing unprecedented hostility from race officials, alleging that one individual grabbed her phone and destroyed protest materials by throwing them away. Bourne described being physically pushed and verbally abused during the incident, prompting her to contact law enforcement.
“I have attended dozens of sporting events to stand up for women and girls, but I have never experienced this level of hostility before,” Bourne stated, characterizing the atmosphere as unusually aggressive for what should have been a community sporting event.
The timing of this controversy carries particular significance, occurring just before USA Cycling implements new eligibility requirements. Starting September 15, the organization will restrict women’s categories to athletes assigned female at birth, following federal guidance that defines sporting divisions based on biological sex. This policy shift means male-born athletes will no longer qualify for women’s competitions under USA Cycling jurisdiction.
Chelsea Wolfe, one of the three competitors, recently generated additional controversy through social media activity celebrating violence against political figure Charlie Kirk. Wolfe shared news of an assassination with enthusiastic commentary, leading USA Cycling to clarify that the athlete has not been associated with their national program since 2023.
Wolfe had previously received media attention when international cycling’s governing body, the UCI, prohibited transgender athletes who transitioned after puberty from competing in female categories. At that time, Wolfe described the decision’s devastating personal impact, saying it had made his world “crumble.”
The third participant, Jordan Johnson, brings an established track record in women’s cycling competitions. Since 2021, Johnson has secured multiple medals across various events, including first-place finishes in races held in Colorado and Louisville.
