Movistar rider abandons Tour de France after crashing into back of UAE Team Emirates-XRG car

Movistar rider Einer Rubio crashed into the back of a UAE Team Emirates-XRG car on Alpe d’Huez, and failed to finish stage 19 of the Tour de France as a result.

The Colombian was part of the day’s 42-man breakaway, and was towards the front of the race halfway up the final climb, sitting just behind the lead group of Richard Carapaz, Lenny Martinez and Sepp Kuss.

With around 5km to go, the eventual stage winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) passed Rubio, and shortly afterwards, while riding alone, Rubio rode headfirst, at speed, into the back of a UAE car that was forced to slam on its brakes for reasons not yet known.

Unlike other sections of the climb, there were no barriers holding fans back from riders where Rubio crashed.

Rubio, 28, was hurt enough that he was unable to ride the remainder of the climb. The stage’s medical report listed Rubio as having a “facial injury”, adding that he was “observed at the mobile x-ray". His team have yet to provide further details, and there was no action taken against UAE in the jury's report.

A UAE spokesperson told Cycling Weekly: "A spectator fell forward directly into the path of the car. The car braked to avoid the collision. It was a very unfortunate incident and we wish Einer Rubio a speedy recovery."

He was riding his second Tour de France, and had featured in the breakaway in the last five road stages. His best result was 16th on stage 15’s race to Plateau de Solaison.

Rubio’s last win – and only his second in professional cycling – was at the 2023 Giro d’Italia. He has been riding with Movistar since 2020.

The Spanish team have been active in breakaways throughout the Tour, particularly with Rubio, Pablo Castrillo and Raúl Garcia Pierna, but they haven’t yet scored a victory; their best result was the latter’s third-place on stage four into Foix.

Movistar’s goal pre-race was for a top-10 on GC with Cian Uijtdebroeks, yet the young Belgian pulled out on stage six after suffering with a stomach virus and fever.

Movistar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG were contacted for comment.