This is the tragicomic moment a spectator at a bike race inexplicably decides to walk out onto the track just before the finish line, knocking over both the aspiring champion and herself.

The bizarre incident took place at the ‘Condaca Salmor Bike’ cycling event on the island of El Hierro in the Spanish region of the Canary Islands on the afternoon of Saturday, 23rd October.

Footage taken at the scene shows the apparent frontrunner sensing victory in sight and sprinting towards the finish line marking the end of the 88-kilometre (55-mi) route.

A male spectator is first seen crossing from one side of the track to the other with plenty of time to make it across before a woman decides to follow in his footsteps just as the cyclist is passing.

The collision sends both cyclist and spectator sprawling to the ground, with the former robbed of his imminent victory.

Medical staff tended to the pair, with the woman only requiring treatment for minor injuries at the scene.

The unlucky cyclist, however, had to be taken by ambulance to the Nuestra Senora de Los Reyes Hospital in the island’s capital, Valverde, to receive treatment for a “moderate” head injury.

According to reports, he suffered memory loss in the incident.

According to the local news outlet Cope, the Spanish Civil Guard got involved with the case, but it is not clear if any criminal charges have been pressed.

It is not clear why the woman ran out onto the track. However, some reports have speculated that she was simply trying to get to the other side.

The identities of those involved were not reported.