NordicSkiRacer Brennan dominates Cat 3 at West Branch Classic

Fri, Jun  5, 2009 - By Pat Brennan

The West Priority Health team members excelled at the May 30th, 2009 West Branch Classic Road Race:

Mac Brennan [member of Team NordicSkiRacer.com] took first place in the Men Cat 3 race and Mike Jones took fifth and Andrew Florian finished seventh. Tom Hahn finished in second place and Mike Krwyanski finished in eighth in the Mens Masters 45+ field. David Williams finished eighth in the Men Pro 1/2 field. Sarah Maguire took first place and Mackenzie Woodring took second in the Women 1/2/3/4 field with Toni Musto finishing seventh, Caitlin Braun in eighth, Cheryl Olson in tenth and Laura Melendez in eleventh. Great performance from Steven Howard, Jeff Koch, Mark Olson, Chuck Grzanka and Greg Brown as well. Full results (PDF).
 
Below is a great report from Mike Jones on the Cat 3 race:

The first annual West Branch Classic was a big hit! The course was very fast with many rollers, smooth low traffic roads and one big thigh buster of a hill finish!
 
The Cat 3 men's race started with 28 in the field. Priority Health had three in it: Mac Brennan, Andrew Florian, and myself. We decided we didn't have enough people to try to control the race so we would just watch a couple of the bigger teams and see what moves we would follow (or so I thought). The first lap was uneventful until the big hill that terminates each lap. At the bottom of the hill our own Mac Brennan and Adam York of Team MCG launched a vicious attack that was sure to cull the herd. I was lucky enough to be the last on that train and by the time we peaked there was a selection of 6 guys who held on to form a pretty tough breakaway.
   
We worked well together and put a few minutes on the pack. Mac was extremely strong and I could see that I was holding him back for the sake of the breakaway (and myself). On the last lap when we knew we were safe from the catch, the cat and mouse game began. Adam York hit a few attacks which were countered by Mac. I pulled up along side Mac and told him I was no longer of any use to him and to watch Adam. I needed to start worrying about trying to beat just one of these young guys so I could place in the money. Adam attacked again and Mac closed the gap back up. Mac then just rode away from us like he was fresh! Adam tried to chase but didn't have it. The race for second was the only thing left. Mac easily won the race that he dominated and I held on for fifth place.
   
Back in the main pack, Andrew had launched a solo attack that left him out alone for almost 25miles. He held the rest off to take the 7th place which put PH with 3 in the top ten. Great job Andrew!!  

Well, it will be sad to lose Mac to Mark and the 1/2 boys but he is ready! 

Mac “the BEAST” Brennan won what will be his LAST race as a cat 3 in an impressive solo move and has now joined the ranks of the Cat 2’s!