Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Steve Bate MBE will be inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame at the 2026 British Cycling Awards, less than a year after retiring from elite competition following his fifth world title in October last year.
The 49-year-old, who is based in Levens, described the honour as "surreal," adding that it has given him time to reflect on a career that includes five Paralympic medals and nine World Championship podiums across road and track.
"When I started my journey, I never thought that I'd get to rub shoulders with some of those riders in person. To then have this induction into the Hall of Fame is pretty amazing, really. That's something I can't quite fathom," said Bate.
Career Highlights and Reflection
Bate was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative visual impairment, in 2011. He joined the British Cycling Paralympic Development Programme in 2013, after scaling El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Originally from New Zealand, he moved to Moray in Scotland in adulthood and competed alongside pilots Adam Duggleby and later Chris Latham.
Reflecting on his late start in the sport, Bate said: "It wasn't really until I got my diagnosis that I had the opportunity to get involved with para-sport. I thought my sporting days had long passed me. I certainly wasn't a young man when I turned up at the front door of British Cycling."
He added: "I probably wouldn't have had the same success if I'd come into it younger. I don't think I would have had the same mindset and determination, which is probably why I never really achieved anything in sport at a younger age."
Mentoring the Next Generation
Bate said the most rewarding part of his 12-year career was helping younger teammates, including Matt Robertson, Fin Graham, and Archie Atkinson. "It's great to be part of trying to steer them in the right direction and help them achieve them. Most of the standout memories aren't so much the wins and the podiums. It's being away with teammates and on training camps. Those moments off the bikes are really the ones that are pretty great memories," he said.
The British Cycling Awards presented by Lloyds celebrates individuals who have contributed to cycling at all levels, from global performance to grassroots work.
