Bear: 1, Matteo Trentin: 0

Quick-Step Floors' Matteo Trentin took on a bear - or rather, it took on him - and came off second best.

Trentin and Brambilla do a joint salute of the win in Stage 18 of the 2016 Giro d'Italia (Getty) Source: Getty Images

If you go down to the woods today... and you're altitude training in West Shore Lake Tahoe, California, you're definitely sure of a big surprise.  

Trentin was out training when a bear crossed his path on a descent. 

"No space to brake so I got in an accident with him," Trentin posted on Instagram.

"He wasn't a fluffy teddybear!"

Bears are a major feature of the region, so much so riders at the women's Amgen Tour of California raced nearby a few weeks ago expected to see some.

One almost obliged, rocking up to a stage start although it was a little late.

Glad to hear Trentin is OK and his lid also did its job.  

It could not be confirmed if the bear was on his way to a picnic with his mates.