RTTC National Hill Climb Championships 2026: Laverack and Gardner Win at Porlock

Junior rider Ezra Bateman recorded the fastest time of the day: 14:31.9, fractionally quicker than Laverack’s 14:32.1. Bateman’s ride won the junior open title, while Laverack claimed the senior open championship.

Laverack wins a close open race

Four-time champion Feather was the first of the final favourites to set a benchmark, stopping the clock at 14:33.3. Laverack followed 30 seconds later and finished in 14:32.1, securing the championship by 1.2 seconds. Rowan Baker completed the open podium in 15:00.8, ahead of Gabe Dellar and Paddy Clark.

The 6.6-kilometre Porlock Toll Road climb rewarded a measured effort. The exposed upper slopes and changing weather added another variable, while the longer, shallower course placed a different emphasis on pacing and riding position from a short, steep hill-climb.

Gardner takes her fourth national title

Illi Gardner won the women’s title in 17:33.1, 40.8 seconds ahead of Maria Holdcroft, who finished in 18:13.9. Karolina Zydelyte took third in 18:46.9. Gardner’s win was her fourth national hill-climb title.

Holdcroft had set the leading time among the earlier finishers, but Gardner’s ride moved her to the top of the classification. Lucy Harris, who had posted 19:08.8, finished fifth.

Junior champions and fastest performances

Bateman’s 14:31.9 was the fastest recorded ride of the day. Oliver Swinburn took second in the junior open category with 14:58.0, followed by Gus Dutton in 15:10.9. In the junior women’s event, Mabli Phillips won in 19:36.6, just 0.9 seconds ahead of Eleanor Thompson. Phoebe Langlands was third in 20:02.5.

Top results

Open

1. Ed Laverack (Assos UK Race Team) — 14:32.1
2. Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) — 14:33.3
3. Rowan Baker (JAKROO Handsling Racing) — 15:00.8
4. Gabe Dellar (RideRevolution Coaching CT) — 15:02.2
5. Paddy Clark (Schils–Doltcini RT) — 15:02.4

Women

1. Illi Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC) — 17:33.1
2. Maria Holdcroft (Cowley Road Condors CC) — 18:13.9
3. Karolina Zydelyte (Dulwich Paragon CC) — 18:46.9
4. Cat MacIntosh (Knights London) — 19:07.2
5. Lucy Harris (Cowley Road Condors CC) — 19:08.8

Junior open

1. Ezra Bateman (Decathlon CMA CGM Juniors) — 14:31.9
2. Oliver Swinburn (Velo Club Lincoln) — 14:58.0
3. Gus Dutton (camsmajaco) — 15:10.9

Junior women

1. Mabli Phillips (Shibden Cycling Club) — 19:36.6
2. Eleanor Thompson (Team Ohten) — 19:37.5
3. Phoebe Langlands (Halesowen A&CC) — 20:02.5

A note on the classifications

The published race report describes the listed results as provisional. The para-cycling and hand-cycling titles are determined using classification-based factoring, so the raw times alone do not establish those final placings. Check the organiser’s result files for any subsequent amendments before relying on a final classification.

Sources

• The British Continental: 2026 RTTC National Hill Climb Championships report and results
• Roots and Rain event results page, which points to the official results
• Minehead Cycling Club: Porlock Hill Climb and results files

Results and race narrative are reported from the sources linked above. This is an independent report and does not claim that BicycleGear tested or endorsed the riders’ equipment.