LONDON, UK – A man’s routine morning bike commute took an unexpected turn when he accidentally merged onto the route of an international professional cycling race, instantly becoming the most confused (and least prepared) competitor in history.

Tom Bradley, 26, was on his usual ride to work when he noticed an unusual amount of road closures and cheering spectators.

“I just thought, ‘Wow, London really loves cyclists,’” Bradley said. “I figured it was some kind of fitness awareness event.”

Unbeknownst to him, he had accidentally joined Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain—a high-stakes race featuring world-class cyclists from around the globe.

Bradley, dressed in his usual office attire—khakis, a wrinkled button-down, and a backpack filled with his lunch and a laptop—unknowingly merged into the peloton, right alongside elite athletes wearing aerodynamic suits and riding bikes worth more than his entire yearly salary.

“I was immediately suspicious when I saw the guy next to me had a helmet that looked more expensive than my rent,” Bradley admitted.

But by then, it was too late.

Spectators lining the streets cheered wildly as Bradley pedaled alongside the pros. Mistaking him for a determined underdog, some even shouted encouragement.

“I heard someone yell, ‘Come on, mate! Keep pushing!’ and I was like… pushing what? My luck?”

Realizing his mistake, Bradley tried to exit—but every turn was blocked by barriers and officials waving him forward.

“There was literally no way out,” he said. “So I figured, fine, I’ll just ride until there’s a break.”

There was no break.

Instead, a race camera zoomed in on him, broadcasting his khaki-clad struggle live on national television.

“I got a text from my boss that just said, ‘Why are you in a cycling race?’”

Things got worse when the pack suddenly accelerated.

“I stood up on my pedals, really gave it my all,” Bradley said. “And by that, I mean I was dropped within eight seconds.”

While the professionals surged ahead, Bradley found himself alone, panting and sweating, trailed only by the support vehicle meant for injured riders.

After 15 grueling minutes, a race official finally escorted him off the route.

“Some guy in a headset ran up and asked, ‘Who do you ride for?’” Bradley said. “I was like, ‘Uh… the Northern Line, usually?’”

Though he technically finished last, Bradley is taking it all in stride.

“I may not have won, but I did get a free energy gel from one of the team cars,” he said. “So, you know… silver linings.”

Bradley has since returned to his regular bike commute but now triple-checks for accidental Tour de France-level detours.