They say timing is everything, and that was certainly the case when this cat and cyclist met while both were going flat out on the same stretch of tarmac.

In what we think is a junior stage race in South America, a rider is seen in the clip below sprinting away from the start of his time trial effort.

Just in front of him a cat darts across his path to apparent safety.

But then the feline, maybe spooked by the crowds, turns and runs back into the road.

It goes right under the young rider’s front wheel, getting (non fatally) squashed in the process and sending the rider flying.

Don’t try this at home people!

 

At first it looks like the cat’s timing is spot on; it darts across the road from left to right with just seconds to spare before the rider passes….

 

… but then it turns and runs out into the road and right under the cyclist’s wheel; very lucky to live to tell the take judging by this shot.

 

 

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