British hill climb champ smashes Sa Calobra QOM - and she's just getting started

Illi Gardner gave up road racing for hill climbing and never looked back

Illi Gardner rides up the Old Shoe in the British Hill Climb Championships
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

To destress from a season of racing up hills, newly crowned British hill climb champion Illi Gardner booked a holiday to Mallorca. 

“I’m just trying to enjoy it a bit more, rather than worry about training too much,” the 23-year-old told Cycling Weekly on Tuesday evening. “I’m excited to go up the mountains.”

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.