CLINTON DISPLAYS CHAMPION PROWESS

Balsall Common’s Matt Clinton once again showed why he’s National Hill Climb Champion this weekend with a string of wins across the north of the country

Clinton, riding for Mike Vaughan Cycles started the weekend with Saturday’s Otley CC 2-Stage Hill Climb. Stage 1, Guise Cliff, just outside Pateley Bridge was a brand-new course, though unfortunately cut short due to incredible wind speeds across the top of the moor. As it was, the course, although short was made increasingly hard as you turned halfway up the course where the wind was being channelled down the valley by steep cliff faces. Being blown off the road in practice, Clinton opted for his geared Giant TCR Advanced SL, whereas former 5x National Champion rode fixed-wheel, suited for the course if not for the wind. Turning the hairpin, riders were almost coming to a standstill, with marshals alongside the road to stop competitors being blown off; Clinton used this section to his advantage to put the power down all the way to the finish, winning with a time of 2min4s, with Henderson 2nd at 2min 22s.

Stage 2 moved closer to Otley, with the infamous Norwood Edge. Winds were more favourable on this climb, Clinton once again last man opted for his 14lb electronic-geared Giant TCR Advanced SL bicycle. This probably wasn’t the best choice however as the tail-wind allowed too much of a respite on the flattest section of the course. Not feeling on top form up the climb, Clinton struggled to the finish to win in a time of 5min 5s, not his fastest time on the climb by a long way. Henderson once again finished 2nd with a time of 5min 18s. This is the 3rd time and the 2nd consecutive year that Clinton has won the classic Otley CC event.

Staying up North, Clinton travelled to Stocksbridge for the Thurcroft CC Hill Climb on Sunday morning. Held on a short version of the National Championships course later this month, the event was a good opportunity to check-out the course before the big day. Once again last man off, riding his fixed-wheel Giant Omnium, Clinton climbed the course with ease, riding well within himself until the steep bend before giving it all to the finish line. A huge cheer came as Clinton has being held up by the marshals at the top – he’d broken the previous course record of 2min 30s (held by professional Adam Blythe, riding for Predictor Lotto), by a huge 7s to record 2min 23s. Second place came from West Pennine’s Daniel Shand, with a time of 2min 39s.

After a quick prize presentation, it was across the Pennines to Chapel-en-le-Frith for Withington Wheeler’s classic Peaslow Hill Climb. Another short climb, but more of a steep drag than the previous climbs of the weekend, Clinton was by now feeling the effects of the three races before hand. Last man once again, he flew up the course to win with a time of 2min 23s once again! This time 2nd place, a local junior rider was slightly closer with a time of 2min 35s.

With 7 wins this year, and 19 consecutive wins in the last 2 seasons, Clinton is now taking each climb one-by-one before the defence of his National title at the end of October.