Incredible moment Tour de France star BUNNY HOPS over rival after terrifying crash at 40 miles per hour

A TOUR DE FRANCE star narrowly avoided a devastating crash by bunny hopping over a cyclist in front of him.

Stage five of the cycling race ended in a bunch sprint finish in Saint-Vulbas.

Britain's Sir Mark Cavendish won the race to claim a record-breaking 35th win at the Tour de France.

But eagle-eyed fans also spotted a brilliant piece of skill just behind the legendary sprinter.

Trek rider Mads Pedersen crashed into the barriers as he sprinted for the line at 40mph.

A split second later Axel Zingle came up behind the Dane and, with nowhere else to go, intuitively bunny hopped over the felled cyclist.

He avoided crashing and was able to cross the line unharmed as Cavendish celebrated his historic victory.

Cavendish, 39, postponed his retirement after crashing out of the Tour last year during stage eight.

He even overcame sickness on stage one of this year's edition as he threw up on live TV .

After breaking the record held by cycling great Eddie Merckx, he said: "I'm in a bit of disbelief.

"You sprint as hard as you can until you get to the finish and maybe your life changes if you cross that line first, maybe it doesn't if you don't.

"That is the nature of this race and what makes it so beautiful."