High fives for Clinton - The Leamington Observer

High fives for Clinton

Leamington Editorial 16th Jul, 2014 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

MATT Clinton clocked the fifth fastest time ever over 30 miles at the Mercia CC 30-mile time trial on Saturday at Etwall near Derby.

The race is a rarity among the standard distance time trials and a baking hot day created fast but tough conditions for the riders to compete in, with Clinton of Kenilworth’s Mike Vaughan Cycles among the top seeds and headlined by Drag2Zero’s Matthew Bottrill – fresh from setting the competition record for 50 miles two weeks earlier.

Both riders were looking to go under the hour, but the heat made it a very difficult task. Clocking the first 18 miles at around 29mph, Clinton was well outside his target time as he headed back towards the finish.

However, a fantastic tailwind assisted him, as he rode the final 12 miles at nearly 34mph average to stop the clock at 57:37 (31.2mph) – breaking the standing course record set by Bottrill.




This record would not stand for long though as Bottrill then smashed this, finishing in 56:15 – just 31 seconds short of the 30-mile competition record.

This, however, would set Bottrill up to be the second fastest rider ever over this distance.


Clinton just missed out being the third fastest rider ever (57:31), ending up being the fifth fastest to ever compete over 30 miles.

In all CTT so far this year, Bottrill has been the only rider to have beaten Clinton – now on three occasions.

This leaves Clinton in good shape with just under a fortnight to go before the National 25-mile Time Trial in Cumbria.

Mercia CC top three: 1st Matt Bottrill 56:15; 2nd Matt Clinton 57:37; 3rd Matt Sinclair 59:09.

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