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A Right Champagne Charlie

Perils of a podium hostess. How doing your job can put you in the eye of a media storm

Last week in celebrating winning the Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton sprayed champagne liberally on the winner's podium and in the process directly in the face of one of the podium hostesses. It thrust Liu Siying, who says she wasn't offended, into a media storm. So what is that like? We speak to Maja Leye who in 2013 had her bottom pinched by cyclist Peter Sagan whilst presenting flowers to the winner of the Tour of Flanders. She explained to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Caroline Barker how that event changed her life and what she made of the incident in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Maja's also explains about her role, which unusually for a podium hostess, includes being part of the organising committee of cycling "Spring Classics"

Photo: (L) Race winner Fabian Cancellara stands on top of the podium as Peter Sagan pinches the bottom of podium hostess Maja Leye on the 97th Tour of Flanders March 2013 (Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) Photo (R) Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of China April 12 2015 (Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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Duration:

8 minutes