'That's bizarre!' - Shock as Mathieu van der Poel fires Prosecco cork into his face on Giro d'Italia podium

There was an unbelievable moment on the podium after Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) won Stage 1 of the Giro d'Italia as he fired a Prosecco cork into his face. The 27-year-old produced a spectacular sprint as he stormed to victory ahead of Biniam Girmay (Intermarche–Wanty) in a breathless finale after the 195km route to Visegrad. Ad/> Caleb Ewan crashed out in the final dash to the finish line to make it all the more dramatic as Van der Poel underlined his status as a race favourite with a quite brilliant debut ride at the prestigious Grand Tour.

/> Giro d'Italia'Bizarre' moment Van der Poel fires Prosecco cork into his face after Giro victory2 HOURS AGO But he then marked the victory in a physical and very surprising way as he bent over a huge Prosecco bottle on the podium. What followed appeared inevitable, yet every onlooker likely assumed he would move out of the way at the last moment. He didn't.

Van der Poel inexplicably fired the cork straight into his neck and face, much to everyone's shock. The Breakaway team following the Eurosport live coverage reacted just as many fans would have done at home. 'It's not possible to finish' — Ewan blunt on controversial 'get out' Giro strategy 'What a sight!' — Wild moment riders with swords on horses steal attention at Giro Girmay aiming to make history at Giro d’Italia in his first Grand Tour event Orla Chennaoui said: «Oh dear! I'm sorry for laughing.