Track Champions League: 'What a nightmare!' - Luz Daniela Gaxiola Gonzalez loses saddle but still wins race

ByEurosport

Updated 13/11/2022 at 10:51 GMT

There was a remarkable performance by Luz Daniela Gaxiola Gonzalez at the Track Champions League in Mallorca as she somehow managed to win a race despite losing her saddle. It was a remarkable sight as Gaxiola was shown to come across the line without her saddle and it was then shown on the side of the track after the race. It made her victory all the more improbable.

Incredibly, Luz Daniela Gaxiola Gonzalez managed to win her heat in the women's sprint at the Track Champions League, despite not having a saddle on her bike.

It was only after the race that everyone realised quite what Gaxiola Gonzalez was dealing with as she stormed through to take the win in heat four of the first round in the event.

The Mexican rider beat Pauline Grabosch and Miriam Vece in a surprising result in itself - even more due to the fact that she did so without the key equipment in place.

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Eurosport commentator Rob Hatch made a big point of crediting Gaxiola Gonzalez for the victory without having a saddle as he reacted to the triumph in Mallorca.

"She has done it without a saddle!" Hatch exclaimed.

"Wow, wow, wow! There is the saddle, at the 30m point. She has just pulled off a super surprise, there. What an effort."

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Joanna Rowsell added: "What a nightmare! She has done well to keep the bike upright.

"A big cheer from the crowd. A tiny margin. I saw her out of the saddle on the home straight, which is quite rare. I have seen that happen before but it is very rare."

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After a great debut season, the UCI Track Champions League is back for season two, with Laura Kenny joining the party. You can watch it all live and on demand on discovery+. We also have extensive coverage across eurosport.com.

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