Hill climb delight for Kenilworth's Clinton - The Leamington Observer

Hill climb delight for Kenilworth's Clinton

Leamington Editorial 8th Oct, 2014 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

MATT Clinton is celebrating his first hill climb win in over two years after claiming victory in the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb near Worcester.

It has been a dry couple of seasons for former National Champion Clinton who was representing Kenilworth-based cycling club Mike Vaughan Cycles.

The 29-year-old has not won a hill climb since 2012 and a below-par 2013 campaign saw hiM take second and third position on numerous occasions.

But on Sunday Clinton was back to winnings ways as the Kenilworth-based rider won the inaugural event near Worcester which saw 60 riders tackle the iconic climb.




One of the coldest mornings so far this year led to a fine, sunny event on the smooth tarmac of the 12ft wide, 914 metre climb.

The target time to beat, from a trial event in the summer would be 3 minutes and 26 seconds which Clinton was only seconds off beating as he rode the climb before warming up.


Hitting the lowest part of the climb, Clinton looked visibly the fastest on his Trek Madone as he tackled the 17% s-bend before the final straight 200m to the line, to finish in a stunning time of 2 hours and 43 minutes.

This would be enough to secure him the win by six seconds from Richard Bussell while no other riders would break the three-minute barrier.

With just three weeks to go now until the National Hill Climb Championships, Clinton’s form is building just in time for the main event.

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