Sixteen-year-old Ezra Bateman rolled up to Porlock Toll Road yesterday, set the fastest time of the day at the British Hill Climb Championships, and went home without the overall title jersey.
Cycling can be wonderfully peculiar.
The Scarborough teenager, riding for Decathlon CMA CGM Juniors, conquered the 6.6-kilometre climb in 00:14:31, just 0.2 seconds quicker than open category winner Ed Laverack of Assos UK Race Team. Conditions were wet and windy for Bateman, which makes the margin even more impressive.
So why no open title? Road Time Trials Council rules stipulate that riders can only win in the category they entered, and Bateman entered the junior event. He duly took the junior crown, while Laverack claimed his second open championship, seven years after his first. Andrew Feather, a four-time champion, was runner-up, 1.2 seconds behind Laverack. Illi Gardner won her fourth women’s title.
Bateman was refreshingly relaxed about it, saying the two categories are simply different, though he admitted that beating a renowned climber like Laverack felt pretty good. Laverack was equally gracious, openly praising the youngster’s form. Tim Smith, the new chair of Cycling Time Trials, called the ride exceptional and a sign of the talent coming up through the sport.
Bateman turns 17 next week, so consider the fastest time of the day an early birthday present. The jersey, sadly, was not in the wrapping.
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