Slock wins GP Gippingen while sliding across the line in one of cycling’s wildest finishes

The 25-year-old Belgian had just beaten Richard Carapaz and Aleksandr Vlasov in a three rider sprint when he raised both arms and lost control of his bike. Slock slid across the finish line as officials were left to determine whether he had completed the race before his rivals.

After a tense wait, the Lotto Intermarché rider was confirmed as the winner. Vlasov took second place, with Carapaz completing the podium.

Slock initially disappeared from the finish area to receive treatment after the fall. He returned visibly bruised, but smiling, once confirmation of his victory came through.

It was a dramatic conclusion to a race in which Slock had already surpassed expectations by joining two established Grand Tour contenders in the decisive move.

Speaking after the finish, Slock explained the incident and was able to look at it with a humorous note. 

“Luckily the win came with it, otherwise this would probably have been the fail of the year,” Slock said in a Lotto-Intermarché statement. 

“There was an incredibly strong wind and I briefly underestimated it. I realised quite early that I was going to win and started celebrating early because I really wanted to enjoy the moment. I raised my arms in the air and then a gust of wind caught my handlebars…”

The GP Gippingen was held on a Sunday this year following changes to the Swiss racing calendar. A strong field assembled for the one day race, with several leading riders using the event as preparation for the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de France.

Richard Carapaz, Thibau Nys, Jarno Widar and Marc Hirschi were among those returning to competition after injury. Julian Alaphilippe, Jan Christen, Alberto Bettiol and Swiss champion Mauro Schmid also featured in the field.

The race began to take shape with around 40 kilometres remaining when Tudor increased the pressure as Florian Stork went on the attack.

Christen then helped force a strong selection at the front of the race. Carapaz attacked from that group and was joined by Vlasov and Slock.

The three riders worked together well enough to hold off the chase led by Lidl-Trek. Their advantage survived into the final kilometre, where the tactical battle began.

Vlasov was forced to lead out the sprint, but Slock came past with a powerful acceleration. He had enough time to celebrate, although the celebration almost cost him everything.

As Slock lifted his hands from the bars, his front wheel moved and he crashed heavily. Momentum carried both rider and bike towards the line, with Slock crossing just ahead of Vlasov and Carapaz.

The fall could not take away the result. Slock had secured his maiden professional win against two of the strongest climbers in the race, producing a finish that will be replayed long after the details of the race itself are forgotten.