[3] He started his cycling career (as an amateur) in 1946, after a professional runner had seen him race in a local competition as part of a wager.

He was following Fiorenzo Magni on the descent, a very strong rider who had already won two Giro's as well as two Tour Stages, who had superior descending skill.

Due to a flat tyre (according to Van Est himself), in conjunction with snow melt and many loose stones on the road he lost control of his bike and went over the cliff.

Fortunately he slowed and was able to grab hold of a small tree nearby a one meter wide outcrop, which he then made his way to.

Fortunately Decock stopped when Van Est went over, giving up his 5th place in the overall standings dropping to 17th by the end of the Tour as a result of the 25 minutes he lost assisting the Dutchman.

[4] When the Dutch team car arrived and were told what happened they screamed down the mountain for him for several minutes hearing nothing but echoes.

It took the team quite some time to tie together every single tire tube they had in order to make a rope that they hoped would reach him.

After a great deal of time their 75 meter "rope" reached Van Est and he was able to use the tires to rig together a hoist which he put around his chest under both arms.