Horror moment Tour de France cyclist crashes face-first into car’s rear windscreen – as bloodied rider is left needing 20 stitches before withdrawing from race
A Tour de France rider needed 20 stitches after crashing into the back of a car.
In a bizarre incident, Movistar’s Einer Rubio crashed into the car’s rear window when he braked to avoid hitting a spectator during yesterday’s Stage 19.
Video footage of the incident published on
The Colombian player had to withdraw from the race even though he ranked 27th in the yellow jersey race. His facial injuries were immediately treated at the scene before he was taken to a medical truck.
He was later seen wearing a bandage on his face and was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Grenoble and was discharged last night.
Movistar said in a statement: ‘Einer Rubio had approximately 20 stitches on his face after his accident while climbing Alpe d’Huez.
Einer Rubio collided head-on with UAE Team’s Emirates-XRG car, which stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a spectator in its path
Rubio is thrown to the ground in front of shocked cycling fans
The Colombian is receiving medical treatment at the scene. He received 20 stitches and was later taken to hospital by helicopter.
‘The Colombian will be transferred to a hospital in Grenoble where new tests will be carried out to determine the extent of injuries.’
UAE Team Emirates-XRG team manager Joxean Fernandez, who was driving the car that Rubio hit, publicly apologized for his actions but explained that he was trying to save the life of the spectator.
“I feel the need to explain what happened from my position in the car during yesterday’s stage,” Fernandez, known as Matxin, wrote on Instagram.
‘In the final kilometers of the Alpe d’Huez climb – thousands of fans right next to the road and under the typically intense pressure of the decisive Tour stage – a spectator suddenly jumped out and fell right under our vehicle. My only reaction was to brake immediately to avoid crushing him. It all happened in an instant and my only thought was to prevent a much worse tragedy.
‘After braking we heard a loud crash behind us, but between the noise, the tension, the crowd and the responsibility of continuing to protect the race leader, it wasn’t until we reached the finish line that we learned the full extent of the accident or that Einer had been forced to withdraw from the Tour. I immediately contacted the Movistar Team to check the situation and ask what happened.
‘I fully understand that seeing only part of the image can lead to criticism and questions. However, those of us who are interested in cycling know that in such extreme situations, decisions are made in a fraction of a second and always with the aim of protecting human life.
Rubio had to withdraw from the race despite placing 27th in the yellow jersey race.
Einer Rubio (right) with his Movistar teammates earlier this month
UAE Team Emirates-XRG team manager Joxean Fernandez (left), who was driving the car that Rubio hit, publicly apologized for his actions
‘I deeply regret the consequences of this accident. If the decisions I make at that moment affect a rider in the peloton, I can say that it hurts me deeply. At the same time, I believe it is important to remember that the safety of drivers, teams and fans depends on the responsible behavior of those who love this sport on the roadside.
‘I offer Einer all my support and love; I’m so sorry for what happened and I sincerely hope to see you racing where you belong soon. “This has not been an easy day for me.”
Former Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was among those backing Fernandez, saying: ‘Matxin, everyone would react the same way; or maybe (if that were the case) we would be mourning the death of the audience in a second.
‘In light of the thousands of fans (walking) along the Alpe d’Huez route, the organization needs to fence the climb to ensure the safety of both people and cyclists.’
Rubio’s crash was not the first incident involving fans during this year’s Tour. On Thursday, Richard Carapaz narrowly avoided colliding with a spectator posing for a photo.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar dominated this year’s Tour once again, breaking the record for the fastest ever climb of Alpe d’Huez en route to winning yesterday’s stage. The Slovenian athlete’s time of 35 minutes and 26 seconds beat the previous record set by Marco Pantani in 1995 by 1 minute and 14 seconds.
