It’s the kind of moment that many racers dread – slowing down as you approach the finish line, certain of victory, only to find someone behind you racing past to take the spot you thought was yours.
That’s exactly what happened to one runner at the Sagunto Triathlon in Valencia last Sunday. In a video captured by a spectator, which has now gone viral, frontrunner Matteo Bustos can be seen slowing down as he approaches the finish line, punching the air in celebration. But as Bustos does so, his competitor Germán Cister speeds ahead from behind to claim the top spot for himself.
The video, posted to Twitter by user @elgotet, now has more than 2.5 million views and 46,000 likes.
Understandably embarrassed by a mistake that cost him the race, Bustos can be seen holding his head in his hands as he walks past the finishing line. Spectators can be heard berating Bustos, shouting ‘idiota’ and ‘tonto’ in Spanish, which roughly translate to ‘idiot’ and ‘stupid’ in English.
Twitter users were quick to poke fun at Bustos’ mistake. @Carmonte said: ‘They think it’s all over… Runner dies in sleep after Comrades Marathon’, while @largemarge76 said: ‘Oh no! ...gotta run thru the finish line bro’. Meanwhile @Kazoo750 said: ‘Second place is just the first loser!’
Others had some wise advice for Bustos: ‘Always cross the finish line before celebrating,’ Peter Robinson said, while Mark Clark said: ‘June 21, 2021.’
Ben Andrews said: ‘This made me smile this morning as a perfect depiction of a determined mindset. Whether you are ahead or behind, racing yourself or other people, NEVER GIVE UP!’
Marc Davies gave credit to Cister for seizing the opportunity to win: ‘Good tenacity by the eventual winner, never give up’.
But in an Instagram post about the race, Bustos played down his error. ‘Long trip, change of hemisphere and climate’, he said, adding: ‘Suffering from start to finish, but enjoying as it should be.’
