Oren Kelly - Eibhir.com

And for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, the force that is Hilton Clarke takes the form of speed on two wheels and is designed to give any sprinter in any criterium a run for his money.

The 2012 season has yielded many rewards for Clarke and his Teammates and the hard-working sprinter from Australia has been a constant for Team UnitedHealthcare during his tenure with the US based Pro Continental outfit. This year the bounty Clarke has collected has come in the form of podium placing finishes and victories. Now, on the eve of the final race of the 2012 National Criterium Calendar (NCC) Series, the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup in Boston, Clarke has mathematically clinched the series title and should be crowned NCC champion on Saturday evening, September 22.

We caught up with the decorated professional cyclist and current Santa Monica, California resident in Boston, where he shared his thoughts on the season to date, the importance of teamwork, and some of the highlights from the amazing season that was for Team UnitedHealthcare.

Wesley Mallette (WM): Hilton, you’ve had several wins and podium finishes this year, not to mention a lot of success over the past two and one-half years with the Team. Talk about this season and what has made it special.

Hilton Clarke (HC):
Well, Mike (Tamayo) and I sat down and put together a plan from the start of the year on how we could win the NCC. As we knew from the start of the season, it was going to be a real juggling act with the international racing calendar combined with our domestic calendar. We’re really not a one-man show on this team so we don’t run a team that rides for one person and we knew this from the start. Robert Förster, Jake Keough, these guys are always racing to win but did so this year having half an eye on me winning the NCC title. Karl Menzies and Adrian Hegyvary have been with me at nearly every crit (criterium) and they have sacrificed all of their results to see me win the NCC. And that goes for everyone involved with this Team, we are a selfless bunch and do what we need to do to support each other.

We have to get the balance right when there is myself, Förster and Keough at the same race. We know which events suit which rider the best, so as far as juggling the aspects around who goes for the win, knowing each other so well truly helps and we make the best decision based on the specific race. We trust each other implicitly and we race each day on who has the best chance to win.

WM: You essentially solidified your lead atop the NCC standings following your big win in Boise earlier this summer. What were your feelings and thoughts after your win that night?

HC:
Jonny (Clarke) and I were on a five crits (criteriums) in seven days run. I was able to get three 3^rd places and I crashed in one of them. We were hunting for a win and were confident it was going to happen. When Rory (Sutherland) arrived in Boise (Exergy Twilight Criterium), it was so important. Bringing him into the equation was critical. That night, the guys were able to bring the break back with one (lap) to go and give us a shot. Personally, I was really excited. I love it when the entire field is watching you and it is all about decision making in the last lap. It’s decision making – not thinking – but relying on instinct and experience that matters in those moments, and I trust my instincts.

WM: What are your expectations as you move into tomorrow night’s final race on the NCC Calendar? What will your mindset be like going into the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup in Boston on Saturday (September 22)?

HC:
My mentality from the get-go has been to win races and let the calendar take care of itself. The goal now is to close out strong. I am looking forward to racing in Boston. It’s Jake’s (Keough’s) hometown essentially, so we all want to do well there. We’re going to do our best and try and win. That’s why we race.
WM: You have a great group of Teammates. How much do these guys mean to you and what do you do when things don’t go according to plan?

My Teammates mean the world to me. Every last one of them and these guys are fantastic. As for changes and how we adapt, I guess this year there has been a change in the ruling where you could ride with eight-man teams in a crit and now you can ride with six. Previously, with eight guys it was easier and with the change to six maximum, it’s made me witness this year that just when you think guys are done in the last two or three laps, they get back in line to do another pull and get us on the podium or on the top step this year. This is an incredible crit squad and I’m glad to be a part of it.

Photo by Jonathan Devich - epicimages.us

WM: Athletes are known for their tendency to do develop certain pre-race and race day habits or routines, especially before the bigger events. Do you have any interesting things surrounding your pre-race prep?

HC:
A lot of the crit riders on the team have made our own little “What’s Up” chat among us. It’s quite comedic, actually, lots of jokes just before the race. Eases the tension just a bit before the races, keeps it light.

WM: What would you consider your biggest highlight of the 2012 season?

HC:
Biggest highlight? I’d say winning Charlotte (Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium). We went there with a five-man squad and after winning Tampa (Cigar City Brewing Criterium); all eyes were on our Team and me. At Charlotte, the breakaway got away and we all rode so hard to bring it back. Karl Menzies was incredible, Jake could have won and ended up in 3rd place and I got the victory. This was the second race in the NCC Series (and the biggest points total). So, to go two-for-two and get the second win in the series early on meant a lot.

WM: When you look at your career as a whole and the lessons you’ve learned, what would you say has been one of the most valuable that you’ve applied to this Team? 

HC:
As I’ve moved through my career, I understand more and more how important it is for a team to execute to near perfection in tough and chaotic situations in the heat of the race. Some of us on this Team have been together for at least two years and we know each other really well. We’re not always the best or fastest riders out there, but we are one of the best-drilled teams and we have been able to put it together better than most and get victories.

Hilton Clarke and Team UnitedHealthcare will close out their 2012 season, Saturday, September 22 in Boston at the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup. Be sure to follow the Team through the off-season and into 2013 on Facebook and on the website.

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