Watch: Triathlon frontrunner trips and falls less than metre from finish line

This is the devastating moment a triathlon runner stumbles with less than a metre to go to the finish line.

German athlete Mika Noodt led the Challenge Vieux Boucau triathlon for almost the entire race before he was pipped to the finish line.

After turning the final corner, Noodt initiates a final push as he powers down the home straight.

With just a few steps to go, he looks over his shoulder to see another runner hot on his heels.

Noodt then seems to lose control of his legs and falls to the floor.

His rival then clinches the win.