American cyclist Sepp Kuss narrowly escaped a potentially fatal crash during the penultimate stage of the 2026 Tour de France after losing control of his bike on a mountain descent in France. Kuss slammed into a roadside barrier, but protective safety netting prevented him from plunging over a nearby cliff. The dramatic incident unfolded in the closing kilometres of Saturday's stage, which featured challenging mountain terrain.
Despite avoiding serious injury, the crash cost Kuss valuable time in the race. Reports also noted that he had crashed earlier in a tunnel before the more dangerous incident. The setback allowed Richard Carapaz to move into the race lead. Fans and commentators praised the effectiveness of the barrier and safety netting, saying they likely prevented a far more tragic outcome. Kuss was able to continue after the incident, though his hopes of leading the race suffered a significant blow.
