Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio was forced out of the Tour de France after crashing into the back of a UAE Team Emirates car during the climb to Alpe d’Huez, requiring around 20 stitches to his face after the vehicle braked suddenly to avoid a fallen spectator.
Tour de France rider Einer Rubio suffered a bloody crash during Stage 19, requiring around 20 stitches after colliding with the back of a UAE Team Emirates support car on the climb to Alpe d’Huez. Team Movistar confirmed the 28-year-old Colombian struck the rear of the vehicle after it braked suddenly, with the impact reportedly breaking the car’s windscreen. Rubio, who had spent much of the day in a 42-man breakaway and was 27th overall in the general classification before the incident, was treated at the roadside before being taken to hospital, ending his race with a Did Not Finish.
How the crash happened
The incident occurred roughly 5km from the summit finish on Alpe d’Huez, after a spectator fell into the road in front of the UAE Team Emirates vehicle, forcing the car to brake abruptly during the steep climb. Rubio, following closely behind, had little time to react or swerve, and crashed directly into the back of the car. Footage of the collision circulated widely on social media, showing fans cheering on riders moments before one fell into the path of the vehicle, leaving the driver no opportunity to avoid stopping suddenly.
A post on X from Spanish newspaper El País described the moment, reading: “Einer Rubio bids farewell to the Tour de France after colliding with the UAE team car. He crashed into the rear window of the vehicle following a sudden brake during the climb to Alpe d’Huez. Although serious injuries have been ruled out, the rider has suffered several cuts.”
Treatment and injuries
Rubio was left visibly bleeding heavily from his face following the crash and was treated at the roadside before being transferred to hospital. In a statement, Team Movistar said: “Following the accident he suffered whilst climbing Alpe d’Huez, Rubio had to have around 20 stitches in his face. The Colombian is being transferred to a hospital in Grenoble, where further tests will be carried out to assess the extent of his injuries.”
Despite the severity of the facial injuries, serious internal injuries were ruled out, though Rubio underwent further medical examinations at the hospital in Grenoble as a precaution.
Reaction from UAE Team Emirates
UAE Team Emirates-XRG issued a statement following the incident, explaining that the team car had braked suddenly to avoid striking the spectator who had fallen into its path. The team described the collision as “a very unfortunate incident” and wished Rubio a speedy recovery. UAE team manager Joxean Fernández later apologised to Movistar, saying the driver had no option but to brake in order to avoid hitting the fan, and admitted he had not realised the full extent of Rubio’s injuries until after the stage had finished.
Wider concerns raised by the incident
Race director Thierry Gouvenou suggested that modern automatic emergency braking systems fitted to team vehicles may have contributed to the incident, potentially causing the car to stop more abruptly than the driver had intended. The crash has also reignited concerns over spectator behaviour on Alpe d’Huez, with officials and riders raising fresh worries about fans standing too close to the road and obstructing race vehicles during one of the Tour’s most iconic and heavily attended climbs.
