16-year-old Ezra Bateman recorded the fastest time at yesterday’s British National Hill Climb Championships, powering up the 6.6km Porlock Toll Road in 14 minutes 31.9 seconds.
The Decathlon CMA CGM Juniors Team rider completed the course a fraction faster than Asso UK Race Team’s Ed Laverack, who won the open individuals category with a time of 14 minutes 32.1 seconds, having won the championships seven years ago.
Andrew Feather came in 1.2 seconds behind Laverack to finish in second place and record the third fastest time on the day.
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Another junior rider, Oliver Swinburn of Velo Club Lincoln, also set a faster time than many of the senior riders. Swinburn completed the course in 14 minutes 58 seconds, placing him second behind Bateman in the open youth and junior category and fourth fastest overall on the day.
Bateman has been in formidable form during this year’s hill climb season. He finished in second place just seconds behind Ed Laverack at the Snake Pass Hill Climb on 11 October.
The following Sunday, he won the Prospect Hill hill climb in 3 minutes 25.4 seconds, equalling 2021 national hill climb champion Tom Bell’s course record.
Bateman joined the Decathlon CMA CGM Juniors Team last year. He shows how the course to professional cycling is changing, with riders being picked up by teams at younger ages – similar to another Decathlon CMA CGM rider, Paul Seixas.
At last year’s National Hill Climb Championship, Bateman finished second in the boys' category behind then world junior race champion Harry Hudson.
Following the 2026 championship, Ed Laverack told the British Continental: “It’s incredible, isn’t it, what Ezra is doing? He’s been coming up through the ranks with strong performances over the last couple of years, and I think this year has just cemented what we already knew about his talent and his climbing ability.
“It’s awesome to see lots of youngsters doing really well at the hill climbs, because it’s a different racing option to the time trials we often see. They’re doing a great job, inspiring even me.”
Cardiff Ajax CC’s Illi Gardner won the women’s open category in 17 minutes 33.1 seconds.
Shibden Cycling Club’s Mabli Phllips won the female youth and junior category in 19 minutes 36.6 seconds.
You can view the full results on the Cycling Time Trials website.
