Cycling: Champion Matt Clinton comes out on top in Tinker’s trial

NATIONAL Champion Matt Clinton retained the Granville Sydney Memorial Trophy at the Huddersfield Star Wheelers Hill Climb to Tinker’s Monument.

Clinton (Mikevaughan.co.uk) recorded a personal best of 4 minutes 09.5 seconds, five seconds faster than Daniel Shand (West Pennine CC), who had got the better of Clinton at the Holme Valley Wheelers event on Holme Moss a day earlier.

Past winners Jim Henderson (Southport CC) and James Dobbin (Arctic Premier RT) were third and fourth in 4.15.8 and 4.32.9, respectively.

Andy Pearson (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was fastest local rider up the 1540-yard climb, knocking 30 seconds off his best with a great time of 4.48.5 to finish sixth.

There were 11 riders who beat the five-minute mark on the day, including Pearson’s clubmates Matt Green 4.51.2 and Paul Smith 4.56.7.

Pearson and Green were narrowly beaten by the West Pennine CC for the team prize with Blackburn CTC in third place.

The Star Wheelers had eight riders taking part and all of them posted personal bests.

Ivan Boyes was 18th in 5.18.9, David Longbottom was 22nd and third Junior in 5.24.2, Matt Cooke, Toby Miller and Tom Broadbent finished in 5.25.9, 5.40.7 and 5.49.7, respectively. Fastest Holme Valley Wheeler and second-placed Junior was Ben Kellett in 5.07.9.

His clubmates Stephen Robinson and Gary Culverhill reached the summit in 5.18.2 and 6.55.3 respectively.

Paul Brierley (Huddersfield RC) was 20th in 5.21.0.

Local schools were represented in the British Schools Cycling Association Yorkshire Championships held before the Star Wheelers event.

Alistair Hepworth (Batley Grammar) was fastest in 5.10.0, while Leon Gledhill (Shelley College) was first Under 14 Boy with 5.54.4 and Harmonie Waterman (Holmfirth High) was first Under 14 Girl with 6.24.2.

Huddersfield Road Club are holding their annual winter cyclo-cross at New College, Salendine Nook, on Sunday.

It is round four of the season long points competition, but more importantly it also incorporates the Yorkshire under 12 championship.

To accommodate the expected increase in what is already a well-supported category, organiser Andy Whitworth is planning to run three separate age group races starting at 11.45am.

There will be races at Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 age groups. Any youngsters can ride with entry £1. All you need is a bike and a helmet.