RECORD BREAKING WEEKEND

Great start to the Hill Climb season for Matt Clinton

This weekend saw the start of the Hill-Climb Season for Balsall Common’s Matt Clinton, the reigning National Hill Climb Champion racing for Mike Vaughan Cycles (Kenilworth).

Saturday started with a long trip up to Leeds for the Yorkshire Road Club 2-Stage Hill Climb. As first seed, Clinton was off last man for both climbs, the first being the tortuously steep, but short Arthington Bank. Having to use a smaller gear than normal on his fixed wheel Giant TCR Omnium allowed Matt to power over the consistently steep climb. The first time this course has been used at this length, Matt broke the leading time set by Richard Meadows of 2min41s to finish in a staggering time of 2min 17s.

With a brief hour-and-a-half gap, it was time to hit the second climb on the day, Weardley Bank. Having ridden this climb back in 2005, Clinton knew what he was up against, however he didn’t bank on the strong headwind over the fastest section of the course. The undulating climb, suited to his geared Giant TCR Advanced SL bike rather than fixed Omnium kicked up steeply before the finish line, where a large crowd was waiting. Clinton once again smashed the leading time of the day, held by Meadows of 2min 58s to win with an almost record-beating 2min 38s. Had it not been for the headwind, Clinton may have made it two records in one day!

Sunday morning hosted Weaver Valley CC’s Cat and Fiddle Hill Climb, up the infamous 6.2mile climb from Macclesfield to the Cat and Fiddle Pub. Again last man off, saw improved conditions from a couple of hours earlier where driving the course had visibility of less than 50yards for much of the ascent! Climbing into a glorious blue sky, Matt was almost riding the course blind as the fog had hampered any real chance to see how the course played out. Helped by a tail-wind, but up against some local riders who have ridden the climb dozens of times before, it would be interesting how the results would end up on this length of climb. Starting 25minutes before Clinton, the biggest threat was Mike Cumming. Living in Macclesfield he set a staggering time of 18minutes 24s – six seconds faster than the previous course record, but with the start of Sunday’s race shortened by 100yards due to roadworks. As Clinton hit the top of the climb, the timekeepers looked in astonishment – he’d finished in a time of 18min 17s! Unfortunately this not counting as a new course record, with the shortening of the course, had conditions been better, could Clinton have made it three records in three events?

With training now well underway and a gauge of form now established, Clinton now looks forward to the next month of Hill Climbs, cumulating in the defence of his Championship Title at the end of October.