Clinton misses out on record but claims championship

Matt Clinton readies himself to start his Midlands time trial.

The event was based on the same ten-mile course which will provide the venue for the National TT Championship at the end of the month.

The rough surface makes the course one of the slowest in the area despite its flat nature, with Clinton’s 2014 time of 19:43 the benchmark.

With preference given to Midlands riders, Oswestry’s Josh Williams (Revolutions Racing) laid down an early marker with the third-fastest time on the course of 19:56.

Jack O’Neill was the first Mike Vaughan Cycles rider off and despite a strong ride he finished in 21:04 (28.5mph), some 46 seconds slower off his personal best.

This was to place the 20-year-old sixth in the Midlands Championships and 11th overall.

Half an hour after O’Neill, Clinton got his chance, with a sub-20 being the target, and another course record the ultimate aim.

However, he hit the turn 15 seconds down and despite making up some of the deficit, he finished in 19:53 (30.2mph).

Despite missing out on the record, his time was good enough for him to take the overall win by three seconds in addition to the 2015 Midland Championship.