Team Sky's Ian Stannard took his first victory of the 2017 season on Sunday, winning the final stage at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia after attacking from an escape group in the final kilometre.
But the British rider's win very nearly turned into embarrassment. Stannard's slow approach to the finish while zipping up his jersey and putting his hands in the air meant he was close to being caught on the line by the chasing group.
Video footage from Eurosport shows just how close Stannard got to not winning the stage.
As he freewheels towards the finish, Aaron Gate (Aqua Blue Sport) is rapidly accelerating behind him – with the 29-year-old from Essex seemingly oblivious to the danger as he looks over the wrong shoulder.
>>> Chris Froome: 'Ian Stannard is an absolute beast'
Or could it be that Stannard is a consummate professional, and perfectly-timed his effort and celebration, with not a gram of excess energy expended? He certainly doesn't look panicked.
Stannard's victory was the third for Team Sky in the race, after Danny van Poppel won the prologue time trial and Luke Rowe secured stage two.
Chris Froome went into the 2017 Herald Sun Tour as defending champion, but simply could not overhaul leader Damien Howson, whose strong Orica-Scott squad rallied around him to ensure his first ever stage race win.
Froome had to settle for sixth overall, with best-placed Sky rider being new French recruit Kenny Elissonde in third.
Stannard and Rowe now head straight back to Europe, where the cobbled classics beckon. Given the British pair's evident form, Sky could see more success – though they may be hoping for a wider margin of victory.
-
-
Five things to look out for at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games women's road race
Dutch superstars, a balanced route, and the lone rangers - here's the things to look out for in the Olympics women's road race
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Anna van der Breggen launches signature clothing collection
Double world champion adds new kit range to her list of projects in her final year as a pro
By Simon Smythe •
-
Ineos Grenadiers end partnership with Castelli in favour of new clothing sponsor
After five successful seasons, the British racing outfit is now parting ways with its Italian clothing partner
By Stefan Abram •
-
Early GC time gaps don't make much difference to eventual Tour de France podium, argues Ineos' Michał Kwiatkowski
The Polish super domestique says the British team were prepared to spend more energy early to keep GC riders safe, but even that can prove insufficient at the Tour de France
By Jonny Long •
-
Luke Rowe explains why he was handed fine on Tour de France stage three
The British rider was fined by commissaries for 'assault, intimidation, insults, threats, improper conduct'
By Cycling Weekly •
-
Tom Pidcock returns to road racing at Italian one-day race
The British rider is back racing just three weeks after breaking his collarbone
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Geraint Thomas: 'You need to be able to do everything well to win the Tour, it's not just about climbing'
The Brit gives his preview of the upcoming French Grand Tour where he will be vying for the yellow jersey
By Jonny Long •
-
Ineos announce their full Tour de France 2021 squad
Here is the eight-man team the British outfit will be taking to the French Grand Tour
By Jonny Long •
-
Rohan Dennis to join Jumbo-Visma from Ineos Grenadiers, reports suggest
The Australian joined the British team two years ago but it looks like he is on his way out
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Ineos 'confident' ahead of Tour de France after Carapaz seals team's fifth 2021 stage race win at Tour de Suisse
The British team head to France with a squad containing the winners of this year's Dauphiné, Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
