Matxin explains UAE car braking incident that ended Rubio's Tour de France

UAE manager Joxean Matxin Fernández has explained his role in the accident that forced Einer Rubio to abandon the Tour de France, saying he braked suddenly to avoid hitting a spectator who had stepped into the road on Alpe d’Huez.

Rubio crashed heavily into the back of the UAE team car during the final kilometres of the climb, where huge crowds had left riders and race vehicles with little room to manoeuvre.

The incident was not shown during the television broadcast, but footage recorded by spectators appears to show the vehicle braking sharply as a fan moved into its path. Rubio, who was riding directly behind the car, was unable to react in time and struck its rear window.

Movistar later confirmed that the 28-year-old Colombian had abandoned the race. The team said Rubio required around 20 stitches to his face and would be transferred to a hospital in Grenoble for further examinations.

In a statement published on Instagram, Matxin said he felt compelled to explain what had happened from his position inside the car.

“In the final kilometres of Alpe d’Huez, with thousands of fans standing very close to the road and the enormous pressure of a decisive Tour stage, a spectator suddenly stepped into the road and fell directly underneath our vehicle,” he wrote.

“My only reaction was to brake immediately to avoid running him over. It was a matter of tenths of a second, and my only thought was to prevent a much greater tragedy.”

Matxin said those inside the vehicle heard a heavy impact behind them after the sudden stop. Amid the noise, congestion and responsibility of continuing to protect the race leader, however, he said they did not immediately understand the seriousness of the collision.

It was only after reaching the finish that Matxin learned Rubio had been badly injured and could no longer continue in the Tour.

He said he immediately contacted Movistar’s team management and riders to ask about Rubio’s condition.

Matxin also acknowledged the criticism that followed the release of the footage, while stressing that the images did not show the full sequence of events.

“I completely understand that questions and criticism can arise when people see only one part of the footage,” he said. “But those who experience cycling from inside the race know that, in such extreme situations, decisions are made in fractions of a second, always with the aim of protecting people’s lives.”

The final ascent of Alpe d’Huez produced several alarming scenes as spectators repeatedly waited until the last possible moment before moving away from the approaching riders, motorcycles and team vehicles.

At some points, the crowd reduced the road to a narrow corridor. The congestion also affected the racing, with Remco Evenepoel forced to halt an acceleration after becoming trapped behind motorcycles in one of the busiest sections of the climb.

Tour organiser ASO had introduced additional safety measures before the stage, including barriers, ropes and an increased police presence at several key locations. Tour route director Thierry Gouvenou had nevertheless warned that those precautions would only be effective if spectators behaved responsibly and left sufficient space for the race convoy.

Matxin said he was deeply sorry that his attempt to avoid striking a spectator had ultimately contributed to a rider being injured.

“If the decision I made in that moment ended up affecting a rider in the peloton, I can only say that it hurts me enormously,” he wrote.

He also called on roadside fans to recognise their responsibility for the safety of riders, team personnel and fellow spectators.

Matxin ended his statement with a personal message to Rubio.

“All my support and affection goes to Einer. I am deeply sorry about what happened and sincerely hope to see you racing again very soon, where you deserve to be. It has not been an easy day for me, and I needed to share this.”