MATT Clinton feels he is returning back to his best after picking up two races wins in Alcester over the weekend.
Returning to racing after several weeks off, the Mike Vaughan Cycles dusted down his Trek Speed Concept TT bike to win both the Redditch Road & Path CC 10-mile time-trial in Alcester and the Shirley RC 50-mile TT on Sunday morning.
Warm and muggy conditions with wind from the North meant that Saturday’s 10-mile event did not provide quick times but it was perfect chance for Clinton to test his legs again.
Power would be down on his usual efforts and not for the first time this season, Clinton came just short of a 30mph ride after stopping the clock in a time of 20.01 for the 10 miles.
This some 30 seconds slower than his course personal best but it was still enough to comfortably win by one-and-a-half minutes ahead of Rugby Racing’s Craig McKee in second place.
The Leamingon rider had no time to rest before he was in action again for Shirley Racing Club’s 50-mile promotion in what was only his second ever attempt at a 50-mile distance.
Setting out at a comfortable pace, the outward leg to Evesham was very quick, but as on Saturday, there was a headwind on the return leg back to Alcester.
Despite the cold and windy conditions, Clinton was able to comfortably win the race in a new personal best time of 1:44.04 (28.9mph). Clinton finished over five minutes ahead of second-placed Mark Corbett.
Both events were perfect preparation for Clinton ahead of the National 50-mile Time Trial event in Plymouth this Sunday, where he will be hoping to go one better than his second-place finish in 2015.
“I’m pleased with my performance on Sunday,” said Clinton. “I’m almost at the level I was for the National 50 Championships last year.
“A faster course meant it was a PB on Sunday. although it was only the second time I had done a 50-mile race, but conditions weren’t that great, so it was slower than it could have potentially have been and fatigue set in near the end as it was still only 10c.
“I’m very happy considering I had over two weeks off the bike while on holiday, it’s great to be back racing.”
