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Illi Gardner claimed her fourth British National Hill-Climb title on Sunday, winning the women’s race on Porlock Toll Road in Somerset. She finished in 17:33, 40 seconds ahead of Maria Holdcroft, despite cold conditions and strong headwinds on the upper section.
Illi Gardner won her fourth National Hill-Climb title on Sunday, taking the women’s race on Porlock Toll Road in Somerset in 17 minutes 33 seconds. The Cardiff Ajax CC rider said she found the cold, wet-weather conditions difficult to manage, but finished 40 seconds ahead of runner-up Maria Holdcroft.
Gardner recorded her time over the 6.6-kilometre climb toward the shoulders of Exmoor. Holdcroft, riding for Cowley Road Condors CC, placed second. Karolina Zydelyte of Dulwich Paragon CC was listed as third in the final podium positions after confusion over the provisional result.
Rebekah Hendrickse of EMC Cycling was initially shown in third place, then listed as disqualified in the provisional results, apparently over a failure to sign on properly. The report said Zydelyte ultimately took the last podium spot; it did not give further detail on the ruling or whether any review followed.
Gardner told Cycling Weekly that she had planned to pace her effort and save energy for the exposed upper section, where riders were facing headwinds. Instead, she started too hard and had to work into the wind near the top. She also said her hill-climb preparation had been limited because she had focused on the Everesting World Championships, which she successfully defended about four weeks earlier.
A Fourth Hill-Climb Crown
The win adds a fourth national hill-climb title to Gardner’s record and shows her ability to deliver across different endurance formats. Her recent Everesting world championship effort was a much longer event, which she described as lasting about 14 hours; she said that preparation took priority over doing more hill-climb events in the lead-up.
The result also highlights how conditions shaped the race. Gardner said cold temperatures and headwinds affected her comfort and pacing, while the long climb suited her. Her 40-second margin over Holdcroft gives a clear result at the front of the women’s race, even as the reported uncertainty around third place affected the lower podium positions.
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Porlock Toll Road Race
The National Hill-Climb championship tests riders on a sustained uphill course, with the event this year held on the 6.6-kilometre Porlock Toll Road in Somerset. Gardner competes in the colours of Cardiff Ajax CC and is 27, according to Cycling Weekly.
The men’s race was won by Welsh rider Ed Laverack of Assos UK Race Team. However, the fastest time of the day belonged to 16-year-old Ezra Bateman, who finished in 14:31, 0.2 seconds ahead of Laverack. Bateman was awarded the junior title rather than the senior title, according to the report.
“On the day I kind of freaked out a bit, and didn’t handle it very well.”
— Illi Gardner, speaking to Cycling Weekly
Third Place Under Review
The account describes confusion over the women’s third-place result: Hendrickse was first listed in that position and then shown as disqualified in provisional results, apparently because she had not signed on properly. Zydelyte was ultimately named as the final podium finisher, but the available report does not explain the full decision process or say whether the provisional status changed.
The report also does not provide detailed weather measurements, full results for all competitors, or further information about the men’s senior-title decision. Bateman’s 14:31 was the fastest time of the day, while the report says he received the junior title and Laverack won the men’s race.
Final Results and Race Records
The immediate next step for readers seeking a complete account is the event’s final results, particularly any clarification of the women’s third-place decision. The report identifies Gardner as champion and gives the leading times and placements, but does not describe a later appeal or ruling.
Gardner’s comments also point to a possible shift back toward hill-climb preparation after her Everesting campaign. She said she had hoped to do more hill climbs before the championship but had focused on the longer event; she did not announce a specific race schedule after this win.
Key Questions
Who won the 2026 women’s National Hill-Climb championship?
Illi Gardner won the title for the fourth time, representing Cardiff Ajax CC.
What was Gardner’s time and winning margin?
Gardner finished the 6.6-kilometre course in 17:33, 40 seconds ahead of runner-up Maria Holdcroft.
What did Gardner say about the race conditions?
She described the conditions as difficult, citing the cold and headwinds on the upper section. Gardner said she started harder than planned and then struggled into the wind near the top.
Who finished third in the women’s race?
Karolina Zydelyte was ultimately listed as third. Rebekah Hendrickse had initially appeared in that position before being shown as disqualified in provisional results; the report did not provide further details on the ruling.
Who recorded the fastest time of the day?
Sixteen-year-old Ezra Bateman recorded 14:31, 0.2 seconds faster than men’s race winner Ed Laverack. Bateman received the junior title, according to the report.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
