National Hill Climb podium place for Kenilworth’s Mr Consistent

Appalling conditions greeted riders ascending the 2.3mile climb to the Durham border, with Clinton among the favourites having finished outside the top six on just one of his previous nine championships.

The Mike Vaughan Cycles rider hit the steep lower half of the course hard, using the wind to assist him through the short decent while almost getting blown off the road.

Pushing on strongly in the final kilometre, Clinton was disappointed with his time of 8min 8.1sec.

However, he was surprised to clinch third position - his third successive bronze medal - finishing just 10.4sec behind winner Tejvan Pettinger (Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team).