Clinton is best on the circuit to claim time trial trophy

The strain shows on Matt Clintons face on his way to victory in the CTT National Circuit Championships. Picture submitted

The event, held at Cranfield, near Milton Keynes, took in two rolling laps of a non-standard distance course measuring 20.3 miles.

With more than 150 riders in different categories, the men’s competition was hotly contested.

Clinton and Matthew Bottrill (drag2Zero.com) were still fighting it out for the CTT Ron Kitching Champion of Champions Trophy which is based on the results of the National 10, 25 and 50 championships in addition to the Circuit Championships.

Sunny conditions and a gentle breeze made a welcome change from the showers of late, with temperatures warming up nicely for the latter riders, including Clinton.

Tackling the first lap at a fast pace, Clinton was not to know main challenger Bottrill was already out of the race after a puncture half-way through the lap.

Suffering from his first- lap efforts, the Kenilworth-based rider pushed hard to the line, stopping the clock in 41min 30sec (29.3mph).

It would give him a winning margin of 44 seconds over Joshua Williams (Revolutions Racing), who in turn was three seconds clear of Brett Harwood (Terry Wright Cycles).

As well as the National Circuit title, it would give Clinton five points in the Ron Kitching competition, enabling him to pip Bottrill for the trophy by just a point.

Clinton will have now focus on the very short hill-climb season which culminates in the National Championships at the end of October where he hopes to once again take a National title.