Spain's 2006 Tour de France champion Oscar Pereiro has admitted that he thought he was going to die after a spectacular fall during the 15th stage at the weekend.
The Caisse d'Epargne rider toppled over a security barrier on his way down Col Agnel in the Alps between France and Italy, falling several metres onto the road below.
Pereiro says he went over the barrier and had a vision from high above, seeing himself in the air and hitting his head.
He thought he was going to die and hoped to feel nothing.
Pereiro, who was in 15th position when he crashed out of the race, suffered a fractured arm and is due to undergo surgery in Vigo, north west Spain today.
The Spaniard was declared the winner of the 2006 Tour de France after American Floyd Landis was stripped of the title for taking testosterone.
