Einer Rubio Forced to Withdraw After Shocking Alpe d'Huez Team Car Crash

During the chaotic ascent of Alpe d’Huez, Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates support vehicles faced dangerous bottlenecks caused by spectators crowding the road. New footage shows a team car slamming on its brakes to avoid a fan, sending rider Einer Rubio crashing directly into the rear window and forcing him to abandon the race with twenty stitches, according to race reports and local media coverage.

According to coverage from Sporza and Het Laatste Nieuws, the confrontation between surging crowds and race vehicles boiled over on one of the Tour de France’s most storied climbs, prompting sharp criticism from teams and cycling collectives directed at the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).

How the Alpe d’Huez Incident Unfolded

The collision occurred as team vehicles navigated through thick walls of fans packing the narrow roadway. According to Het Nieuwsblad and Sporza, a spectator stepped directly into the path of a moving team car, forcing the driver to brake abruptly. Einer Rubio, riding closely behind the vehicle, had no time to react and slammed violently into the rear window of the UAE Team Emirates car.

The impact left the Colombian rider severely injured. Medical staff attended to Rubio at the scene before he was forced to withdraw from the competition. According to sports updates from Sporza, medical personnel administered twenty stitches to treat his lacerations following the crash.

Criticism Mounts Against Race Organizers

The Belgian cycling collective ‘Congé Payé’ launched a scathing critique of the race leadership, stating publicly that the organization falls woefully short in maintaining a safe corridor for riders and official vehicles.

“The organization falls heavily short,” representatives from ‘Congé Payé’ stated, as reported by Het Laatste Nieuws, pointing to inadequate barriers and insufficient crowd management on the lower and middle slopes of Alpe d’Huez.

Speaking ahead of subsequent stages, riders like Remco Evenepoel emphasized the need for caution amidst unpredictable fan behavior, noting the importance of avoiding reckless situations when roads become heavily congested with spectators.

Broader Safety Implications for the Peloton

While race organizers routinely issue appeals for spectator restraint, incidents involving fans interfering with team transport remain a recurring hazard.