Balsall Common cyclist claims 3rd in National Hill Climb

Balsall Common cyclist Matt Clinton rides to 3rd in the 2011 National Hill Climb

Matt Clinton on his way to 3rd place



Balsall Common’s Matt Clinton claimed a brilliant 3rd placed finish behind 2 professional riders when he took part in the National Hill Climb Championships at Whaley Bridge north of Buxton on Sunday 31st October 2011. This extended Matt’s remarkable run in the competition to 5 consecutive podium finishes, including the winners title in 2008.

The man from Balsall Common was the last man to set off in a field of 150 time triallists on a longer (4.4. miles), shallower (3.2%) and warmer ascent than usual riding against a tricky headwind, especially in the final mile.

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November 12, 2011 |

Cycling: Matt Clinton heads into National Champs in fine form

Matt Clinton in action (Picture courtesy of Larry Hickmott/VeloUK.net)


One outright victory, one joint first and a third placed finish saw Balsall Common’s Matt Clinton complete a tremendous final round of racing last weekend ahead of this weekend’s National Champs on Sunday.

Matt’s final preparations for this weekends big event saw him take in the Yorkshire Road Club 2 stage race on Saturday, just north of Leeds, a race he went into as favourite and eventual clear winner, before meeting with further success against tough competition at Matlock CC’s double-header on Sunday.

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October 28, 2011 |

Cycling: Clinton racks up impressive wins in build up to National Champs

Matt Clinton attacks tough ascent in front of impressive crowds

With the National Championships fast approaching, Balsall Common’s former National Hill Climb Champion, Matt Clinton, ramped up preparations riding for Mike Vaughan Cycles in three events across Yorkshire and Derbyshire last weekend.

Saturday morning kicked off with damp, drizzling conditions on the 1.3mile, 10% average ascent of Holme Moss hosted by Holme Valley Wheelers on a climb which often has to be cut short due to visibility issues caused by low cloud. Luckily this event was unaffected allowing the full course to be used, with Matt clocking the fastest time of the day, 6 min 46s, some 25s ahead of Welshman Dan Evans in second place.

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October 14, 2011 |

Clinton claims 6th at British Time Trial Championships

“]Matt Clinton tackling the 2011 British Time Trial Championships - pic courtesy of Larry Hickmott/VeloUK.net

[Picture courtesy of Larry Hickmott/VeloUK.net]

Balsall Common’s Matt Clinton had another impressive outing recently in claiming 6th place at the annual British Time Trial Championships, improving on his 9th placed finish in 2010.

A strong field assembled to tackle an extremely wet course traversing the border between Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, with Mike Vaughan Cycles rider Matt Clinton aiming for an improvement on his 9th placed finish at the 2010 event in South Wales.

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September 14, 2011 |

Cycling: Matt Clinton goes off road in Mountain Bike series

Matt Clinton leads the way in the early stages of the XC Series near Stoke

Hanchurch near Stoke on Trent was the venue for the third round of the Midlands XC mountain bike series, where Balsall Common’s Matt Clinton riding for Mike Vaughan Cycles contesting his second event of the season in the Expert category.

Getting the holeshot off the line, Matt jumped into an early lead which he maintained throughout the first of 5-laps round the tough course, which had steadily been drying out since overnight rain. Still leading entering the second lap, Matt was closely tailed by Lee Westwood (Raleigh), series leader after two rounds. The heavens then opened and the race was hit by a torrential summer shower, creating slick conditions which worsened as the race went on.

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July 17, 2011 |

Cycling: Matt Clinton takes runner up spot in National Hill Climb

Matt Clinton 2010 National Hill Climb

Matt Clinton finished as runner up in today’s National Hill Climb at Dover’s Hill, Gloucestershire for the second year running, 6 seconds behind a successful defending Champion Dan Fleeman (Raleigh UCI team). 25 year old 2008 Champion Clinton (Mike Vaughan Bikes, Kenilworth) had to wait nervously at the finish line, having occupied top spot right until the end when last man Fleeman flew up the hill to take the title.
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October 31, 2010 |