Video: New pro sprints a lap too early to "win" German champs

André Greipel won the German road title, but not before a German MTB rider turned road debutant celebrated "victory" a lap too early.

We can't quite decide what's worse about this clip recorded at the German national road race championships over the weekend.

Is it worse to think you've won the national title and then instantly realise to your horror that you haven't or to know your mistake has been captured by the TV cameras?

Either way, poor MTB rider turned road debutant Martin Gluth's OMX Pro Bike team was putting its own spin on their man sprinting for the line one lap too soon and putting his arm in the air, which looked very much like a victory salute to us.

The team said on Facebook:

"Martin Gluth finishes 73rd at the German Road Race Championships, just 25 seconds behind winner André Greipel!

"In his first ever elite road race, Martin finished just behind the lead group after 4.5 hours at an average of 48kph.

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"On the penultimate lap Martin even attacked off the front of the peloton with a small group, but it was a sprinters course and the breakaway was brought back for the final lap.

"To finish at 25 seconds back in a race of this calibre, among World Tour riders, is really impressive and Martin is very happy with his performance. Congrats dude!"