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Tour de France: Pogačar smashes 31-year Alpe dHuez record as Rubio crashes out after team car collision
Tour de France leader Pogacar eyes Alpe d'Huez as UAE Team Emirates loses riders to illness
Tadej Pogačar stormed to victory in a record-breaking time on Alpe d'Huez during Friday's 19th stage of the Tour de France, shattering a 31-year-old climbing record previously held by Marco Pantani. Meanwhile, Colombian cyclist Einer Rubio of Movistar was forced to withdraw from the race after a violent crash involving a team car.
Pogačar's triumph on the iconic Alpe d'Huez was marked by a "crazy atmosphere," as described by AFP. The Slovenian cyclist not only won the stage but also set a new benchmark for the ascent, surpassing the long-standing record set by Marco Pantani in 1995.
The celebration was marred by an incident involving Rubio. According to La Libre, Rubio collided with the rear window of a UAE Emirates-XRG team car during the final ascent of Alpe d'Huez. The crash occurred when the car had to brake suddenly to avoid hitting a spectator who had positioned themselves in the middle of the road. Rubio suffered facial injuries and required approximately 20 stitches. The Movistar team confirmed that Rubio had no fractures and was able to leave the hospital in Grenoble on Friday evening.
The massive crowd on Alpe d'Huez, estimated to be over half a million fans, created a festival-like atmosphere but also raised safety concerns. NU.nl reported that the sheer number of people on the mountain led to problems, making the environment less safe for the cyclists. German cyclist John Degenkolb described the atmosphere as "gigantic" and "unforgettable," while Michel Heßmann noted the extreme behavior of some fans, particularly the Danish supporters who were described as "unbelievably loud and drunk."
The crowd's enthusiasm was not without consequences. The presence of so many spectators on the road forced the UAE Emirates-XRG team car to brake suddenly, leading to Rubio's crash. The incident highlighted the challenges of managing such large crowds at popular Tour de France stages.
In addition to the safety concerns, there were also environmental considerations. A petition against the Tour de France passing through Col de Sarenne, a protected area known for its rich flora and fauna, gathered over 25,000 signatures. The area is home to species such as the capercaillie, black grouse, ptarmigan, golden eagle, and lammergeier. The road up to Col de Sarenne is closed to traffic for eight months of the year and has a speed limit of 20 km/h. The organizer, ASO, stated that the reklamekaravan would not pass through the area, and the road was closed to traffic before the stage.
German cyclist Florian Lipowitz, who had to withdraw from the Tour de France earlier in the week due to a crash, was reported to be back home and recovering.
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