20 Stitches for Einer Rubio After Smashing Face-First into Car in Alpe d’Huez Chaos

Movistar rider Einer Rubio is out of the Tour de France after smashing face-first into the back of a team car in chaos on the final Alpe d’Huez climb.

Video showed Rubio striking the back of a UAE Emirates-XRG car that was braking quickly as fans piled in on the race course in stage 19.

“Einer Rubio has received around 20 stitches in the face following the accident he suffered during the ascent to Alpe d’Huez,” a Movistar team note read. “The Colombian is to be transferred to a hospital in Grenoble, where new tests will be carried out to determine the extent of the injuries.”

The Colombian started the stage in 27th overall and rode into the main breakaway.

The incident occurred when Rubio was on the lower reaches of the Alpe d’Huez climb when stage-winner Tadej Pogačar swept past him.

A UAE team car followed as rules allow, but braked abruptly, apparently due to fans on the road. Rubio did not have time to react and smashed into the rear window of the team car.

Spanish media reported he is being transported to a hospital in Grenoble for further checkups after receiving medical attention on the scene for a series of deep cuts and gashes to his face.

In the daily medical report, Tour officials confirmed that Rubio suffered “traumatisme facial/facial injury” and was checked out at the race’s mobile X-ray facility.

Haller injures knee after striking traffic sign

In an earlier incident in the stage, Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling) crashed into a padded traffic sign and suffered injury to his right knee.

“The traffic sign came as a complete surprise to me. There was obviously a bottleneck in the road, and everything got really tight. The sign appeared very suddenly, and unfortunately, I hit it,” Haller said. “I was super lucky that I ended up in the protective mattresses. Really lucky. I hit my knee quite hard but hopefully, I’ll be okay for tomorrow.”