Road race not a trial for Clinton

The race was contested over five laps of a 17-mile circuit and at 86 miles was more than double the length of Clinton’s previous excursions this year, which have been predominantly time trials.

The Mike Vaughan Cycles rider faced a strong field, with several professional riders topping the start-sheet and halfway around the first lap, a group of ten riders pulled away, including all the leading contenders.

However, there was no real impetus to drive the break and within two laps, the main bunch had pulled them back.

Kieran Frend (Node4) then jumped away up the road and after several miles, Clinton bridged the gap to the leader, taking another rider with him.

The three pushed on and were reduced to two, with Friend and Clinton working together to stay away from the pelaton.

Clinton was being dropped by Friend on the climbs but was able to reel him in on the descents and the two continued their association into the final lap.

However, with two miles to go, Friend made his move, establishing a five-second gap which he held to the finish.

Despite a fear of being swallowed up by the chasing group, the duo finished more than four minutes clear of their nearest challengers and Clinton was overjoyed with his first road race of the season.

“We worked hard together,” said Clinton. “I didn’t think we’d stay away.

“I didn’t have any expectations, I just wanted to finish, so getting second is fantastic.

“I’ve really struggled in the race in the past. Twice I’ve not finished as I’ve tried to ride too hard, too early.

“Last year I started with a cold, so again no expectations, and got sixth. This tops that.”

A lone chase in the final ten miles proved in vain as Warwick’s John Stevenson finished second in the second round of the Percy Stallard National Road Race series at Welland, near Malvern.

Dunchurch rider Martin Hackley was third in the 60-plus race, while Baginton’s Mick Ives was second in the 52-mile race for riders 70 and over.

John Herring equalled his personal best for the course to win Leamington C&AC’s first championship of the season.

Herring completed the 15-mile circuit in 35min 15sec to finish 35 seconds clear of Eoin O’Flynn.

Andy Gibson was third in 37:15, with Anouk Molliex clinching the women’s championship in 41:31.