Einer Rubio issues update after disastrous Alpe d'Huez Tour de France crash - "Perhaps it would have been different with better fencing"
Cycling
Einer Rubio's 2026 Tour de France ended in disaster on the slopes of Alpe d'Huez during stage 19. The Colombian abandoned the race after colliding with a UAE Team Emirates - XRG team car on the iconic climb.
Videos circulated of the crash after he left the race, showing high numbers of fans causing the UAE car to break suddenly and Rubio's momentum took him into the rear window of the car in an incident that has put the spotlight on organsiers.
The incident, not shown on the host broadcast, was revealed by Norway’s Tobias Halland Johannessen in comments to TV2. Shortly afterwards, Movistar Team confirmed the Colombian’s withdrawal.
“I saw Rubio, from Movistar, go into the UAE car. It didn’t look good at all. I wonder if he broke the glass with his face. I hope he’s okay,” said the Uno-X Mobility rider.
Rubio suffered numerous facial injuries, requiring 20 stitches and forced to abandon the race. Just over a week after the stage, Rubio has provided an update to fans. In the post to Instagram, originally in Spanish, Rubio acknowledged that further precautions in place may have prevented the incident.
Einer Rubio, Movistar Team.
Rubio on what could have been done to prevent crash
He wrote: "It's been a few days since the accident at the Tour de France, and as they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
"Nobody expects a race to end like this, but that's what happened. We can't change the past, but we can learn from these situations and work to prevent them from happening again."
Rubio noted the need for further barriers on the climb, vehicle control and a stronger emphasis on rider safety among fans roadside.
He added: "Perhaps it would have been different with better fencing at the mountain pass, stricter vehicle control, and more responsible fans who understand that, during a race, both the safety of the cyclists and the safety of those on the roadside are at stake.
"Thank you so much to everyone who has sent me messages of support and encouragement. I'm recovering and will be back soon."
Read also
Pressure on Tour de France organisation
It is not the first time that the lack of crowd control on Alpe d’Huez has created extreme danger, but this incident underlines that the race management is once again under scrutiny.
When the road is completely clogged with fans, keeping vehicles among the riders multiplies the risk of a crash.
Despite widespread criticism, Tour organisers insisted they had already taken extensive measures and argue that fan behaviour, not a lack of security, remains the biggest challenge.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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