This is the heart-stopping moment American cyclist Sepp Kuss narrowly escaped disaster after plunging into safety netting over a cliff drop during the Tour de France.
The 31-year-old was pushing for a dramatic solo stage win on the descent from the Col de Sarenne toward Alpe d’Huez when he misjudged a fast right-hand bend.
Striking the low roadside barrier at speed, Kuss was thrown toward the edge of the mountain road – where a sheer drop awaited.
Tragedy was avoided only by strategically placed safety netting along the verge, which caught the Colorado native just inches before a potentially fatal drop.
The terrifying incident came after Kuss had already suffered an earlier crash inside a dark, wet tunnel just kilometers prior while leading the stage.
Despite the heart-in-mouth moment, Kuss managed to remount his bike with a bloodied leg and elbow to complete the grueling mountain stage.
American cyclist Sepp Kuss narrowly escaped disaster during the Tour de France on Saturday
Kuss fell into safety netting over a cliff drop after misjudging a fast right-hand bend
Afterwards, he appeared unfazed by the incident. He said: ‘It was a bit scary, sorry to my wife and my family watching at home! That’s racing. I’m happy with the fight and the performance, and it was a big day out.
‘I was so on the limit, I misjudged the corner a bit,’ Kuss added after the race. ‘First in the tunnel, and then after that I was still trying to make up too much time.’
TV commentators and cycling pundits praised race organizers ASO for installing the netting at the high-risk corner, with TNT Sports analyst Matt Stephens noting the barrier ‘might have saved his life.’
‘This could have been a life or death moment,’ Stephens said on the broadcast. ‘The other side of that netting is a precipitous drop. The organizers have played a blinder.’
Kuss, who had broken away from Olympic champion Richard Carapaz, saw his hopes of a memorable stage victory evaporate following the two falls.
Carapaz capitalized on Kuss’ second crash, surging past the American to claim the stage victory, while Remco Evenepoel edged him out late for second place.
Kuss crossed the line in third, 31 seconds behind Carapaz.
