BEVERLY — The race was nearly over. Just about 14 and a half out of 16 miles were completed, and a solid pack of riders were preparing for the final sprint.
Suddenly, a crash during the final lap and a half of the Women's race at the Beverly Gran Prix changed the entire complexion of the event.
And it was all Jamaica Plains resident Nicole Freedman needed to seize momentum and eventually first place, with a time of 37:38.
"The crash split the field," said Freedman, a member of Wheelworks Racing. "I chased on until I was in third and then it was just a sprint with the seven or eight of us."
When that sprint hit, Freedman dug deep and gutted out a close win, narrowly edging out Rebecca Wellons of Woburn, who won the race last year. Ironically, Wellons spent the majority of the race near the front, while Freedman saw most of her time at the back of the pack.
"I was pretty tired, I was in the back for most of the race actually," said Freedman. "My teammates did a good job."
Wellons agreed that the crash was a clear turning point of the race, despite occurring in the final moments.
"It took out some people who would've definitely been in contention today," explained the runner-up. "It was a lap and a half to go and if you were involved in that there's no recovery at that point."
Though the collision was unfortunate, the lively environment of a packed Cabot Street, which featured numerous street vendors, kept the enjoyment levels high for all involved, including the racers. The variety of enthusiastic spectators, in particular, were appreciated by the riders.
"The crowd was awesome," Wellons said. "It's so encouragning when you're out there and you're hurting and you hear the people screaming. It really makes you push that little bit extra and gets you pumped up."
And though Freedman competes in all the national circuits throughout the country, Beverly's Gran Prix always ends up on the top of her list.
"This was one of the highlights of the year," said Freedman. "If you look around the whole town is out, it's at night, its a spectator event and they do a great job ... This is what bike racing is supposed to be."
Lyne Bessette of Beverly was the highest placing local competitor, finishing in fifth place. Samantha Dery of Manchester finished 16th, while Crystal Anthony of Beverly, the only other local racer, finished 24th.
Gran prix of beverly WOMEN'S RESULTS
NAMEHOMETOWN
1. Nicole FreedmanJamaica Plains
2. Rebecca WellonsWoburn
3. Sally AnnisNashua
4. Mary ZiderBarre
5. Lyne BessetteBeverly
6. Susanne DelaneyPortsmouth
7. Cody HarrisFalmouth
8. Andrea SmithSomerville
9. Maureen Bruno RoyArlington
10. Hope StrodeBoston
11. Sara Bresnick-ZocchiArlington
12. Kerry LitkaNashua, N.H.
13. Anna McLoonCambridge
14. Elle AndersonStowe, VT
15. MaryAnn MartinezHardwick, VT 16. Samantha DeryManchester
17. Amy McGuireJamaica Plain
18. Kimberly EdwardsClinton, Conn.
19. Laura Summers Southington, Conn.
20. Anna MilkowskiAndover
21. Eun YoungCambridge
22. Ivy LuhrsMinot, ME
23. Dana PreyNewton
24. Crystal AnthonyBeverly
25. Cathy RowellBedford
26. Katherine SnellNashua, N.H.
27. Kimberly ZubrisBoston
28. Laura MullalyWethersfield, Conn.
