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Embarrassing cycling celebrations

After Rubén Fernández mistakenly raised his hands celebrating a stage win at the Vuelta, have a look back at some embarrassing moments

Rubén Fernández of Movistar raised his arms in celebration after crossing the finish line on Stage 3 of the Vuelta Espana not having realized that FDJ’s Alexandre Geniez had in fact crossed the line in first winning the stage from the day’s breakaway. Fernández did move into the Vuelta’s red leader’s jersey so he had that to be happy about.

RELATED: 2016 Vuelta a España Stage 3: Geniez wins on the brutal wall of Ézaro

The situation on the road can often be chaotic with riders losing track of the situation on the road but when a rider celebrates when he has not won the race, it is always embarrassing and entertaining to watch. Here at Canadian Cycling Magazine we thought this would be an excellent time to look back at some of our favourite mistaken celebrations in cycling.

 

Eloy Teruel at the Tour of California

At the 2014 Tour of California, Spaniard Eloy Teruel of Jamis–Hagens Berman raised his arms and jubilantly celebrated one lap too early on Stage 7. He did not realize there was still another lap of five kilometers to go.

Adam Toupalik at cyclocross worlds

At the 2016 cyclocross world championships. Adam Toupalik of the Czech Republic was competing in the under-23 men’s race in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. The 19-year-old accelerated hard out of the courses final corner before heading to the line leading the race. The young man raised his arms in delight. Toupalik would go on the finish second in the race though it took him a while before realizing he had not won the world championship title the commentator can be heard saying, “Oh no he thinks he’s won. No, it’s one lap of racing to go. He hasn’t heard it, he thinks he’s won the world title!”

Erik Zabel at Milan-San Remo

2004 Milan San Remo

When four-time Milan-San Remo winner Erik Zabel approached the finish line at the head of the field at the 2004 edition of the race, he lifted his arms to celebrate and was edged out by Oscar Feire who beat him with bike thrown at the line.

Ryder Hesjedal at the Tour of Alberta

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On Stage 1 of the 2013 Tour of Alberta, Ryder Hesjedal attacked from the pelonton appearing to win the stage. However, this was not the case as Peter Sagan would win the stage one lap later.

 

Here is a cyclist who did win but just didn’t know it

It’s certainly less embarrasing to win a race and not realize than the other way around.  At the 2015 Clásica de San Sebastián, Adam Yates won the race 15-seconds ahead of second place rider Philippe Gilbert but had no idea until someone in the finish area let him know at which point he raises his arms and celebrates his accomplishment,

 

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