Colombia’s German Dario Gomez was seen breaking down
in tears during the junior race at the World Championships after being left
stranded by the roadside.
The 18-year-old was left holding his wheel up in the air as car after car in the cavalcade passed him just after the first big selection had been made.
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When the last of the cars following what remained of the bunch drove by him without stopping, he knew his chances were over and broke down. The TV cameras stopped and stayed on him and he eventually got up from the side of the road and walked up the road.
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'That's heartbreaking! Help the poor guy out!' ?
Colombia's German Dario Gomez Becerra in tears after being left at the side of the road... #Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/Mt2mR39RGx
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) September 26, 2019
He had his bike in one hand and his punctured rear wheel in the other, continuing to cry as he walked. It was hard not to feel very sorry for him, having come all the way for Colombia only to be ignored by the other nations’ team cars and left stranded.
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Neutral service and Colombia’s team car were so far back, behind the next group on the road, they did not get to him for a long time. But what TV viewers didn’t see was the teenager getting a rear wheel, composing himself and getting back into the race.
He never got close to the front again but, to his great credit, he finished the race; in 60th place and in a group 16:49 down. But a finish at this level is a finish. And having become so emotional when left abandoned, he did well to make it all the way.
He’s the reigning Pan American junior TT champion and was 15th in the Worlds TT earlier this week.
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