Weighall, McConneloug take Beacon Cross

Seattle’s Nick Weighall (California Giant Strawberries-Specialized) ran away from Mike Broderick (Kenda-Seven-NoTubes) to win the MAC Beacon Cyclocross Saturday in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

In contrast, Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-NoTubes) rode away from a tough women’s field that included defending MAC champion Laura Van Gilder and perennial front-runner Dee Winfield (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes), and 2008 MAC champion Mo Bruno-Roy (MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles)

“This is a fast and smooth race course, which I love,” said McConneloug. “But I knew I had to pin it from the start.” Pin it she did, winning by more than a minute with Bruno-Roy and Van Gilder time-trialing to second and third, respectively.

The men stayed together for several laps through the woods of Central Park before the first selection was made. Weighall attacked, Broderick went with him and the two worked together to establish a gap that proved insurmountable.

Weighall and Broderick then set about duking it out in the approach to the two-story-high “Amphitheater of Pain” run-up, racing through a dicey corner with legs out and bike leaned way over like flat-track motorcycle racers.

Weighall finally took the line away from Broderick with a little more than two laps to go, then ran away from him on the Amphitheater of Pain. “I have short legs, and he was able to run away from me up the steps,” said Broderick.

The battle for third came down to a sprint with Battley Davidson’s Ryan Dewald holding off Cycle Smart’s Adam Myerson.