Celebrating ”winning” the world title when there was still one lap remaining was bad enough, but the manner of the celebration is cringe inducing given the circumstances.
It’s been a weekend the sport of cycling won’t forget for a long time, and one that a young Czech rider is unlikely to forget for the rest of his life.
Spare a thought for Adam Toupalik, the 19-year old from Tabor who thought he’d just been crowned U23 champion at the World Cyclocross Championships.
However, he would instantly (and painfully) realise his joy was a tad premature.
Four riders were coming to the start-finish area in Zolder with one 3km circuit still to go.
But Toupalik, thinking he was on the last lap and sprinting for the finish of the race, went flat out to the line and celebrated like anyone would.
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Trouble was, there was still a lap remaining.
“Oh no, he thinks he’s won,” screamed the commentator.
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“No it’s one lap to go, there’s one lap of racing to go, no he hasn’t heard it. There’s one lap of racing to go and he thinks he’s won the world title.”
Eli Iserbyt and Quinten Hermans sailed past the "winner" just after the line before Toupalik realised his error.
And to his immense credit, he gathered himself for the final shakedown and even looked like he’d win the sprint the next time round.
Alas, Iserbyt had too much in the tank and he was crowned the new champion, with Toupalik still strong enough for silver despite his embarrassing and unnecessary exertions a lap earlier.
“I'm the biggest idiot in the world,” said the runner-up afterwards.
The "victory celebration"
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