Cocky cyclist causes mass pile-up in closing stages of championship race
The incident happened during the final stage of the Iraqi Cycling Championships in Erbil, The Sun reports.
Cyclists from more than 20 clubs featured in an individual race at the junior event.
The action was coming to an end in routine fashion as a rider dressed in orange cruised to victory.
Riding well clear of the chasing pack and with the finish line in sight, the rider sat up in his seat and threw his arms into the air to being the celebrations.
Then it all went wrong.
The bike began to shake and the youngster then lost control as the wheel appeared to fall off. He tumbled to the floor and skidded across the road just metres from the finish line.
The two riders behind managed to avoid the incident with both crossing the line to take up the top two spots on the podium.
The third rider however wasn't as lucky, while he managed to avoid the tumbling bike … he collided with the crashed rider and was sent flying over the handlebars as his bike soared into the air.
To really rub salt into his wounds, he was passed by another rider just centimetres away from the line as his body slammed over the finishing line.
Sadly even if he crossed in third he likely wouldn't have been awarded a spot on the podium thanks to a little-known rule that states riders must have their hands on the handlebars at all times.
For the rider who had come so close to capturing victory, he was left sitting on the road in disbelief as to what had just unfolded.
He pushed his bike away in disgust before the rest of the chasing pack closed in on the finish line to complete the race.
Footage of the chaotic race ending quickly whipped around the internet with fans left stunned by the scenes.
One wrote: 'There is a lesson to be learned here.'
Another added: 'This is why stay low-key until it's done.'
A third wrote: 'Only hurt was the embarrassment.'
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