A moment of madness cost a French cyclist certain victory in a pro race in Belgium when he was pipped at the line - after celebrating prematurely.
Anthony Turgis was embarrassingly beaten by not one, but two riders during the Eurométropole on Monday (New Zealand time), a single day race held annually in Belgium, when he raised his arms in celebration mere metres from the finish line.
The 23-year-old Cofidis rider had earlier built up a healthy lead heading into the final straight and with less than 20 metres to go, raised his arms thinking he had secured victory - only for Dan McLay (Fortuneo-Oscaro) and Kenny Dehaes (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) to cross ahead of him at the last possible moment.
Turgis, who has already won on the UCI's European Tour and claimed bronze at the Road Race Under-23 Championships in 2015, immediately realised his big mistake, with British winner McLay punching the air in celebration.
The victory is only McLay's second of the year, after winning the Trofeo Palma in January.
