Clinton at the peak of his powers ahead of Nationals

Clinton took overall victory at the Yorkshire Road Club two-stage event just north of Leeds, finishing just a couple of seconds off the course record on the longer of the two climbs.

Sunday saw the Mike Vaughan Cycles rider slighty closer to home at Matlock CC’s two events.

The cream of the country’s climbers were present for the extremely tough Riber Castle climb in the morning.

And, having never previously ridden the steep, technical climb, Clinton was at a clear disadvantage.

Undeterred, he flew around the lower half of the course, only to struggle on the last section and finished third, nine seconds adrift of Swedish professional Gunnar Gronlund.

The afternoon would see riders in the centre of Matlock for the Bank Road hill climb, where Clinton won his National title in 2008.

Roadworks meant the course was cut to a straight line of little more than 600 yards, with riders able to able to see their minute-man approaching the line as they were about to set off.

Mike Cuming led the way with a climb of 61 seconds dead, which Clinton matched to take the joint win.