Watch: MotoGP star left red-faced at home race after celebrating victory one lap too early

With the finish line in sight at the Catalunya Grand Prix on Sunday, local man Aleix Espargaro was looking nailed-on for an emotional triumph.

But he forgot two of sport’s most enduring cliches: always play to the final whistle, and it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. Or, as they say in Catalunya: “no s'acaba fins que canta la dama grossa.”

Thinking he had just completed the final lap, he began celebrating, punching his handlebars and waving to his home crowd.

There was just one problem: the race wasn't over. Somehow, he had become confused and gone too early, as sportspeople say, leaving his handlers and colleagues in the Aprilia Racing team could staring on in dumb disbelief.

WHAT ON EARTH?!

Aleix Espargaró pulls up early thinking the race is over and starts waving to the fans