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Safety Nets Catch Sepp Kuss After Two Crashes on Alpe d'Huez Descent

Organisers' strategically placed netting likely prevented a fatal fall and turned a near-certain Kuss victory into a stage win for Richard Carapaz.

Overview

  • While leading late on Stage 20, Sepp Kuss crashed twice on the descent toward Alpe d'Huez, with the second incident sending him into roadside netting that stopped him from tumbling over the mountainside.
  • Saturday's crash sequence began with a spill in a tunnel and ended when Kuss hit a low wall and was caught by netting placed by race organiser ASO.
  • Broadcasters and pundits singled out the netting for praise, with TNT Sport analyst Matt Stephens saying the barrier 'might have saved his life.'
  • Richard Carapaz won the stage, Remco Evenepoel finished second, and Kuss remounted to take third despite cuts and a bloodied elbow and leg.
  • The incident underlines the dangers of exposed mountain descents in the Tour and highlights how organiser safety measures can prevent catastrophic outcomes given the race's long history and few rider fatalities.