Pro Cyclist Celebrates Too Early, Crashes, Still Wins

There’s a new way to win a bike race: crash across the finish line.

Liam Slock of Lotto Intermarché just showed everyone how.

The 25-year-old Belgian rider claimed the first professional win Sunday at Switzerland’s GP Gippingen in the wackiest way imaginable.

It’s one thing to celebrate too early and lose a race.

It’s quite another to celebrate too early, crash, and still win.

Slock looked safely on his way to victory after attacking Aleksandr Vlasov and Richard Carapaz with 200 meters to go in the one-day Swiss race.

With the finish line in sight, Slock sat up and began celebrating what appeared to be an overdue win after years of near misses and top 10s.

Apparently, he was a little out of practice.

With both arms raised, Slock glanced back, lost balance crossed his front wheel, and slammed into the pavement.

His momentum carried him and his bike across the finish line. For a few awkward moments, it was unclear whether the victory would stand.

It did.

Under UCI regulations, riders may cross the finish line on foot, assuming they’re carrying, dragging, or hoisting their bicycle with them.

Slock crossed the line with his bike, just not in the traditional riding position.

Celebrating too early and losing a race is embarrassing.

Celebrating too early, crashing, and still winning?

That’s a story that will probably earn him free beers in Belgium long after his racing days are over.