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Ezra Bateman, 16, set the fastest time at the British National Hill-Climbing Championships on Sunday, finishing the 6.6km course in 14 minutes 31 seconds. He was crowned junior champion, while Ed Laverack won the separate open title despite recording a time 0.2 seconds slower.
Sixteen-year-old Ezra Bateman recorded the fastest time at the British National Hill-Climbing Championships on Sunday, completing the 6.6-kilometre course in 14 minutes 31 seconds. He was awarded the junior championship, not the open title: the categories were run as separate national championships, and Ed Laverack won the open event with a time 0.2 seconds slower.
The championships took place on Porlock Toll Road in Somerset, on the steep slopes of Exmoor’s highest hill. Riders faced gusty conditions in the aftermath of Storm Babet, according to Cycling Weekly’s report. The course was 6.6 kilometres long, with an average gradient of 5.5 per cent.
Bateman, who rides for Decathlon CMA CGM Juniors and is from Scarborough, was the last junior rider to start. He caught and passed several riders during his effort and finished almost half a minute ahead of the next junior, Oliver Swinburn of Velo Club Lincoln. Swinburn’s 14:58 was reported as the fourth-fastest ride overall.
Laverack, riding for Assos UK Race Team, was crowned Senior Open National Hill Climb Champion for the second time. The event also had separate women’s, junior women’s, para and handcycle results. The report named Illi Gardner as women’s winner, Mabli Phillips as junior women’s champion, Christopher Scott as para champion and Geoff Pickin as 2026 handcycle champion.
Fastest Time, Separate Titles
The result highlights the difference between recording the fastest time on the day and winning a particular national championship. Bateman’s ride was faster than every other reported time, but the championships’ results are organised by category, not through a single overall title awarded to the rider with the lowest time.
That distinction has prompted discussion on social media, according to Cycling Weekly. For riders and spectators, the case shows how age-group rules shape the way results and recognition are recorded, even when competitors from different categories race on the same course at the same event.
Bateman’s performance also put a young rider’s result into the spotlight: he won the junior title by a substantial margin and set the day’s fastest time. The reported rules do not make that ride an open-category championship win.
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How Championship Categories Work
British Cycling Time Trials (CTT) runs the national hill-climb championships with distinct titles for riders’ categories. CTT chair Tim Smith told Cycling Weekly that the event is held together, but includes separate junior, open, women’s and junior women’s national championships. Riders are allocated to a category according to age and gender when they enter.
The report cites another recent example: junior Leon Adkins won a junior title at the Road Bike Championships, and his time would have placed third overall, but he was awarded the junior championship rather than an additional overall placing. It also says a similar question had arisen in earlier hill-climb discussions involving Harry Hudson, though he did not ultimately win the event.
“To be honest, no, because it’s a different category. Even if I set the fastest time, the two categories are different.”
— Ezra Bateman, speaking to The British Continental
No Combined Title Listed
The report describes the categories as separate championships and says neither Bateman nor Swinburn appears in the open results. It does not identify a combined overall championship title or indicate that one was available under the event’s rules. The precise regulations and full official results were not included in the supplied report.
It is also unclear whether CTT plans to review how results are presented or how the categories are communicated to spectators. Smith’s comments explain the existing category structure, but the report does not describe any proposed rule change.
Bateman’s Move Into Open Racing
Because Bateman is turning 17 next week, Cycling Weekly reported that he will have to wait until 2028 to race in the open ranks. Until then, his results will be recorded in the category he is eligible to enter under the age-based system.
The report did not give a date for a further CTT statement or any change to championship rules. Full reports on the other category winners were also described as forthcoming.
Key Questions
Who set the fastest time at the championships?
Ezra Bateman set the fastest reported time, finishing the 6.6km climb in 14 minutes 31 seconds.
Why did Bateman not win the open title?
The event had separate national championships for different categories. At 16, Bateman was entered in the junior category, while Ed Laverack won the open championship.
How close was Laverack’s time?
Laverack’s time was 0.2 seconds slower than Bateman’s, according to Cycling Weekly’s report.
How did the other junior riders finish?
Oliver Swinburn was the next junior finisher, in 14:58, almost half a minute behind Bateman. His time was reported as the fourth fastest of the day.
When can Bateman compete in the open ranks?
The report says Bateman will have to wait until 2028 to race in the open ranks.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
