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Tobias Halland Johannessen is without doubt one of the high younger riders in all {of professional} biking.
The 24-year-old grew to become simply the second rider from Norway to win the Tour de L’Avenir (Tour of the Future) in 2021, which options the world’s high riders underneath 23.
However even riders as gifted as Johannessen have mind farts, and on Friday, he had a significant one to price him a victory.
Johannessen was racing within the inaugural Traditional Var. It’s a one-day race that takes place in Var area of France and into the French Alps.
Because the riders have been going up the ultimate climb of the day, Johannessen separated himself from the again. He pulled away and seemed to be on the best way to certain victory.
However then one thing bizarre occurred.
Johannessen punched the air in celebration and stopped pedaling solely meters in need of the end line. Within the meantime, younger French star Lenny Martinez sprinted for the end line, throwing his bike ahead to only barely beat Johannessen to victory.
A shocked and confused Johannessen threw his arms up, not sure of what on the earth had simply occurred.
Tobias Johannessen at this time:
At all times have a good time after the end line. ✅At all times know the place the end line is. ❌
He received confused when he noticed that arch/gate at 25m to go, comprehensible once you’re dying on the bike however nonetheless humorous. Higher belief the white line.#ClassicVar pic.twitter.com/NZ71aMloUT
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) February 16, 2024
Because it seems, Johannessen crossed underneath an arch shortly earlier than the end line and seems to have mistaken the arch for the end line.
As a substitute, Martinez stored pedaling and stole the win proper out from underneath him.
However worry not, Tobias. You aren’t alone!
Wout Van Aert, one of many world’s largest biking stars, made virtually the very same mistake a few years in the past.
Like Van Aert, Johannessen will probably go on to make a lot larger reminiscences. Friday’s race was a small one early on within the annual biking calendar. And Johannessen has the expertise to go on and win way more necessary races.
However in the interim, he’ll have to elucidate to his teammates and staff bosses why he let a certain win slip away.
