14 bad finish line moments

Mark Cavendish wins stage two of Tour de Romandie

published 12 May 2015

Odd victory celebrations, rider wardrobe malfunctions, thinking-you've-won-when-you-haven't - just a few of the cringe-worthy bike race finish-line moments that have occurred in recent memory.

Here we collect together some of the most inappropriate, misjudged, weird or offensive finishes in a rogues' gallery.

Let us know if we've missed any out.

Rohan Dennis wins Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California, San Jose to Mt. Diablo. — Zip it: Rohan Dennis wins stage three of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. It was hot, and he has a lovely necklace, but Dennis really should have taken a moment to sort himself out

Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer, Tour of California 2011, stage seven — In a show of brotherly solidarity, RadioShack's Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer held hands over the line on stage seven of the 2011 Tour of California

Phillip Walsleben wins under-23 cyclo-cross event — Museeuw tribute: Phillip Walsleben shows us his muddy shoes in an under-23 cyclo-cross race

Frank Schleck wins stage 17 of Tour de France 2009 — Synchronised Schlecks: Alberto Contador went on to win the race overall despite the Schlecks' awesome gun show after Frank won stage 17 of the 2009 Tour. At least it stopped Contador whipping his pistol out (see below)

Mark Cavendish wins stage two of Tour de Romandie — Up yours: Mark Cavendish's touching tribute to the "journalists and commentators who know jack-sh*t about cycling" at the Tour de Romandie in 2010 led to him being withdrawn from the race by his team.

Tuck yourself in: Thomas Voeckler's tongue is enjoying a rare moment in his mouth but his stomach is on display, you can see why he's the 'French housewives' favourite'

What a dummy: Carlos Sastre, Tour de France 2003. Dedicating the win to your newborn is one thing, popping in a sweaty dummy at the line is another

Peter Sagan wins stage three of the 2012 Tour de France — Running man: Some think Peter Sagan's finish-line antics are great, but his Forrest Gump tribute on stage three of the 2012 Tour pushed it a bit

Alexandre Vinokourov wins the Mens Olympic Road Race — No comment: Alexandre Vinokourov's celebration at winning the London 2012 Olympic Games men's road race is fine, but...

Jean-Christophe Peraud crashes after the finish line on Stage Four of the 2013 Tour of the Basque Country — Bike surfing: Torrential rain and a slippery finish area meant that Jean-Christophe Peraud invented a whole new sport on stage four of the 2013 Tour of the Basque Country

Ramunas Navardauskas on stage seventeen at the 2013 Giro d'Italia — Ramunas Navardauskas hadn't realised that Giovanni Visconti had actually won the stage 19 seconds before

Chris Froome wins stage fifteen of the 2013 Tour de France — Staying alive: Chris Froome's Bee Gees tribute after winning stage 15 of the 2013 Tour de France

Alberto Contador wins Stage 4 of the 2014 Tirreno-Adriatico from Nairo Quintana and Daniel Moreno — Alberto Contador gives his 'pistolero' salute winning stage four of the 2014 Tirreno-Adriatico. It's about time he ran out of bullets

And the classic finish line mishap...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EaJMr26F5w

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.