[VIDEO] Vincent Tupin’s Leap: A Jump So Big, You’d Think It Was A.I.-Generated

French freerider Vincent Tupin as he takes on what might be the biggest cliff drop ever attempted on a mountain bike: 25 meters (85 feet) down, 31.3 meters (102.5 feet) across. To put that in a snowsports perspective, an Olympic halfpipe’s walls are 22 feet high and 64 feet apart. That makes the 31-year-old Tupin’s attempt even more stunning and amazing.

Tupin’s recent video, which sent the biggest drop recorded in mountain biking history, definitely opened the eyes of people inside and outside of the biking world. Although he did not stick the landing and ended up crashing, the attempt to jump across such a high and far distance is truly epic. A person watching the video of Tupin’s impact on landing would probably make their knees break.

After making contact with the ground, Tupin lost control and fell off the bike and tumbled down the slope. However, he amazingly was able to stand up and put his hands and arms in the air, showing that he was okay. Analyzing the jump and landing indicates just how much stress and pressure that was on his body and his bike.

• Related: Mt. Bachelor, OR, Bike Park Report: Cone Runs and Lava Flows on a Sleeping Volcano

The Scott Gambler 910 mountain bike frame seemed to handle the stress of the landing, but the front tire exploded on impact, which may have been why Tupin could not stick the landing. The front tire and rim took the brunt of the impact and was unable to transfer all that force to both tires. The result was Tupin flipping over the bike and tumbling down the slope until he came to a stop and was able to stand up under his own power.

The French Alps native, Vincent “Vinny T” Tupin, made a name for himself in the mountain biking freeride world. He’s hit the biggest kickers at FEST Series events, competed in Red Bull Rampage and Hardline events. Tupin, who has been riding since he was 10 years old, won the Style Award at Rampage in 2019 and also took 10th place this year for his outstanding style. In May 2022, he was one of 62 creators who made the final cut in the GoPro Million Dollar Challenge and earned $16,129.

The video where Tupin jumped 85 feet was filmed in Liddes, Switzerland, and was directed by Damien Vergez. This short film is more than a stunt reel; it took almost a year of planning, failing, re-planning, and starting over. Tupin is known for his explosive videos and iconic style that is smooth, aggressive, and always pushing the envelope. The video documenting his jump attempt is featured in the film, PUSHING INTO THE UNKNOWN, which is about fear, trust, and the moment of no turning back.

What’s next for Vincent Tupin? After attempting the monumental 25-meter cliff drop, pushing mountain biking’s boundaries, Tupin’s fearless spirit and resilience continues to shine. Despite the crash, his ability to walk away unscathed proves his grit and skill. We can likely expect more jaw-dropping stunts, refined techniques, and boundary-pushing videos as the French mountain biker redefines freeride’s limits.