Einer Rubio Abandons Tour de France After Crashing Into Team Car on Alpe d'Huez
Colombian Movistar cyclist Einer Rubio was forced to abandon the 2026 Tour de France after crashing into a UAE Team Emirates support car on the Alpe d'Huez climb. The car braked suddenly to avoid a fan crossing the road, and Rubio, riding behind, collided at full force. He suffered facial lacerations requiring 20 stitches but no fractures, and was released from Grenoble hospital that evening. The incident occurred as Tadej Pogacar overtook Rubio en route to a historic stage win and record ascent.
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Cyclist Einer Rubio Crashes into Team Car, Abandons Tour de France
Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio (28) of Movistar was forced to abandon the 2026 Tour de France after a severe crash on the Alpe d'Huez climb. With five kilometers to go, a spectator ran onto the road in front of the UAE Emirates team car following Tadej Pogacar. The driver braked hard to avoid the fan, but Rubio, riding directly behind, slammed into the back of the vehicle. He suffered multiple facial lacerations requiring 20 stitches but no fractures, and was released from Grenoble hospital that evening. The incident occurred as Pogacar, who had just overtaken Rubio, went on to win the stage and break Marco Pantani's 31-year-old record for the ascent. Rubio had been 27th overall after the 18th stage.
Tour de France: Cyclist Einer Rubio Crashes into Braking Support Vehicle, Suffers Facial Injuries
During the legendary climb to Alpe d'Huez at the Tour de France, a serious crash occurred involving Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio of Movistar. A support vehicle for Tadej Pogacar's UAE Team was forced to brake hard, likely because a fan tried to cross the road. Rubio, riding behind, crashed into the vehicle at full force. He suffered facial injuries requiring approximately 20 stitches and was taken to a hospital in Grenoble for X-rays but was released that evening. The incident happened about five kilometers before the finish line, where eventual stage winner Pogacar had just passed Rubio. Images showed Rubio sitting blood-soaked on the road, where he was immediately treated. About half a million spectators were present on the 13.8-kilometer final climb, with barriers only placed on both sides in the final kilometers.
Cyclist Einer Rubio Crashes into Braking Support Car at Tour de France, Abandons Race
Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio (28) of team Movistar suffered a severe crash during Stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France on the Alpe d'Huez climb, five kilometers from the finish. Rubio crashed into the back of a UAE Team Emirates support vehicle after it braked suddenly to avoid a spectator who fell onto the road. Rubio sustained multiple facial lacerations requiring 20 stitches but no fractures, and was released from hospital that evening. The incident occurred as superstar Tadej Pogacar overtook Rubio during his attack, later winning the stage and setting a new record time on the climb. Rubio, who was 27th overall, had to abandon the race. The support vehicle drove on, apparently unaware of the crash.
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Tour de France: Einer Rubio Abandons Race After Crashing Into Team Car on Alpe d'Huez
Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio (28) of Movistar was forced to abandon the 2026 Tour de France after a serious crash on the Alpe d'Huez climb, five kilometers from the finish. The incident occurred when a spectator fell in front of the UAE Emirates team car following Tadej Pogacar. The driver braked hard, but Rubio, riding directly behind, crashed into the back of the vehicle without braking, suffering multiple facial lacerations requiring 20 stitches. No bones were broken, and Rubio was released from Grenoble hospital around 10 p.m. The team car continued driving, apparently unaware of the crash. Pogacar, who had overtaken Rubio earlier, went on to win the stage and break Marco Pantani's 31-year-old record for the ascent, finishing in 35:26 minutes. Rubio had been 27th overall after stage 18.
Einer Rubio Receives 20 Stitches After Violent Collision with UAE Team Car
Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio suffered a violent crash involving a UAE Team Emirates team car during the Tour de France, requiring 20 stitches to treat his injuries. The incident occurred on the same day as Tadej Pogacar's historic victory on Alpe d'Huez, where he broke the record and strengthened his overall lead. The article also notes that UAE Team Emirates faced other setbacks, with Brandon McNulty abandoning the race and Tim Wellens finishing over 40 minutes down. The crash highlights the dangers of the race, with images showing the severity of the impact.
Einer Rubio Abandons Tour de France After Violent Crash with UAE Team Car Caused by Fans
During Stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France, finishing at Alpe d'Huez, Movistar rider Einer Rubio was forced to abandon the race after a violent crash. The incident occurred when a fan crossed the road in front of the UAE team car, forcing the driver to brake hard. Rubio, riding behind, crashed into the back of the car. The impact was severe, and the Colombian rider could not continue. The article criticizes the dangerous behavior of fans crowding the climb, a recurring issue at the Tour. A spectator video captured the crash.