Italian cyclist Luca Braidot inches away from disaster at UCI Cross-country World Cup event - 'He has done so well to get away with that'
Updated 22/06/2025 at 18:20 GMT+1
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Luca Braidot had a lucky escape after he came within inches of disaster at the UCI Cross-country World Cup event in Val di Sole. The Italian cyclist almost crashed into the metal railing of a bridge at full speed as he tried to close the gap between himself and second-place rider Mathis Azzaro. Braidot had to settle for fourth place in the end after losing crucial seconds.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Luca Braidot was a matter of inches away from disaster during the UCI Cross-country World Cup event in Val Di Sole on Sunday.
The Italian cyclist was in third place as the race reached its climax, and was desperately trying to close the gap between himself and Mathis Azzaro in second.
He nearly collided with a metal railing of a bridge as he hurtled at full speed down the course but was able to pull out at the last second before catching his bearings and finishing the race.
The error cost him dearly though, with Fabio Puntener replacing him on the podium after finishing four seconds faster than the 34-year-old.
Braidot had to settle for fourth place, but the TNT Sports commentary team believe he was lucky to escape without suffering a serious injury.
"What are we going to see here, wow, Braidot is getting all out of shape," said one TNT Sports commentator.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
"He nearly goes straight into the side of the bridge. Luca Braidot massively overcooks it.
"He has done so well to get away with that one. I think his front wheel just gave out from underneath him.
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"Puntener now has got past him, or has he? Yes, Puntener gets past him as he crosses the line."
Chilean cyclist Martin Vidaurre won the race with a time of 1:27:42, finishing ahead of Azzaro in second.
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