Einer Rubio retires from Tour de France after crashing into UAE Team Emirates-XRG car on Alpe d'Huez stage won by Tadej Pogacar

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Team Movistar rider Einer Rubio was forced to retire from the 2026 Tour de France after crashing into the back of a UAE Team Emirates-XRG support car as he made his ascent up Alpe d’Huez on Stage 19.

Highlights: Pogacar claims spectacular Alpe d'Huez victory on Stage 19

Video credit: TNT Sports

The car braked suddenly as Rubio pushed towards the finish line, leaving the Colombian with next to no time to react as he collided head-first into the rear-view window of the vehicle.

After receiving treatment, the Colombian came out of the medical truck with bandages on his face, and was taken to hospital for further assessment.

It is unclear what exactly caused the UAE car to brake so abruptly, but the stretch towards the finish line was heavily populated with fans who were often seen encroaching in the path of the riders.

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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."

Rubio was competing in his second Tour de France, having finished 31st in the general classification in the 2025 edition. He has two top 10 finishes in the Giro d’Italia to his name, including a stage win in 2023.

The 28-year-old was part of the breakaway at the start of the stage, but was one of many riders who could do nothing as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) mounted an extraordinary late surge to take his fifth stage win.

The Slovenian looks well on course to bag a record-equalling fifth Tour victory, sitting over seven minutes clear of second-placed Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).

Alpe d’Huez is one of the most famous stages of the Tour, but has a history for fan-related crashes. Sections of the final stretch up the mountain are one of the few parts of the stage without barriers.

In 1999, Giuseppe Guerini managed to win the stage despite being knocked off his bike by a spectator.

Eight years ago, 2014 champion Vincenzo Nibali suffered a broken vertebra after colliding with a spectator and was forced to retire from the race.

'What Tadej just did was pretty special' - Froome in awe of Pogacar after Alpe d'Huez heroics

Video credit: TNT Sports

The peloton will go up the Col de Sarenne for the first time ever during Stage 20 on Saturday - with all the action shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - having last descended it in 2013.

It will be the last major test ahead of the final push towards the Champs-Elysees, which is customarily a procession to celebrate the winning rider.

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