Rider celebrates 'winning' Aussie national road race championship - but there was still a lap to go

Cannondale-Drapac rider Brendan Canty celebrated a solo win in the men's Australian national road race championship today - only to learn as the bell was rung that there was still a lap of the circuit to go.

The 24-year-old, who had attacked on what he thought was the last climb of the day, was being chased by Orica-Scott's Luke Durbridge  had attacked from, reports SBS.

He watched as Canty started pumping his fist to celebrate his 'victory' as well as flashing a smile at the TV camera.

Durbridge said after the race: "I saw him free-wheeling across the line and I thought 'I hope to God it's finished, because that would be great, but I know it's not'."

Pro cyclists celebrating a victory too early when a race is on a circuit happens more often at top level than one might think.

In 2014, Spanish rider Eloy Teruel of the US-based Jamis team thought he had won a stage of the Tour of California as he crossed the line with one lap remaining.

And at last year's German national championship Martin Gluth, a mountain biker who had switched disciplines and was riding his first big race on the road, believed he had beaten stars such as eventual winner Andre Greipel to the line as he celebrated a lap early.

Reflecting on what had happened, Canty said: "It's a long, hot day, but with a couple of laps to go you get a bit excited and things get out of hand a bit.

"The feeling of thinking you might stay away is super-exciting.

"Then 'you have another lap to go' - the high and low of that, I can't really articulate that right now.

"It's going to be a little bit disappointing for me," he conceded.

But he added: "There's nothing to be ashamed of and I'm really proud of the way I rode today."

With the race regrouping in the final lap, it looked likely to come down to a bunch sprint.

But BMC Racing'ss 22-year-old signing Miles Scotson, riding his first professional race, attacked inside the final 2 kilometres and held on to win.

Canty, meanwhile, came seventh.

Well I gave the Road Race a big crack today. Made some mistakes out there, but I'll learn from it. Thanks for the epic support!!!

— Brendan Canty (@baacanty) January 8, 2017