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Movistar's Einer Rubio crashes into support car at Tour de France, abandons race
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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.
Source report
Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio (28) has been forced to abandon the Tour de France following one of the most brutal accidents of this year's race. The Movistar rider crashed into the back of a support vehicle just five kilometers from the finish on the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb.
Injuries and Medical Update
Rubio suffered several facial lacerations requiring 20 stitches, according to his team Movistar. The good news: nothing is broken. Around 10 p.m. on the evening of the crash, the South American was discharged from the hospital in Grenoble.
How the Accident Happened
Superstar Tadej Pogacar (27) rode past Rubio in a dense corridor of hundreds of thousands of spectators on the iconic climb. Eleven kilometers from the finish, the Slovenian attacked from a chasing group to catch the leaders — a move he successfully executed. After passing Rubio, the team car of his racing team UAE Emirates followed closely behind.
Then the incident occurred:
- A spectator came from the right onto the road, apparently attempting to pick something up
- The spectator fell directly in front of the UAE team vehicle
- The driver reacted quickly and slammed on the brakes, as shown in video footage on social media
- Rubio, riding immediately behind, crashed into the back of the vehicle without braking
- The impact caused multiple cuts to his face
- No one in the accident car appeared to notice the crash; the vehicle drove on, likely relieved not to have run over the fan
Race Context
Doctors attended to Rubio immediately, but he could not continue the race. After the 18th stage on Thursday, he was in 27th place in the overall standings.
Pogacar continued to lead the race, securing his fifth stage win of the 2026 Tour and his 26th overall victory in the French race on the summit. He practically flew up the 21 switchbacks of the 13.8-kilometer climb, finishing in 35:26 minutes — breaking Marco Pantani's (†34) record. The Italian was 1:24 minutes slower 31 years ago. On his way to the record, Pogacar also overtook Rubio.
Shortly before the accident: Einer Rubio on his way to Alpe d'Huez, which he does not reach — Photo: AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
Einer Rubio Abandons Tour de France After Crashing Into Team Car on Alpe d'Huez