Alpe d'Huez, France ⁠July 24 (Reuters) - Colombian Einer Rubio has withdrawn ⁠from the Tour de France after suffering ‌facial injuries in a heavy crash on the climb to Alpe d'Huez during Stage 19 on Friday, when he ​collided with a UAE Team ⁠Emirates-XRG support vehicle.

Movistar's ⁠Rubio, 27th in the overall standings, was forced to ⁠abandon ‌the stage a few kilometres from the summit finish, where Tadej Pogacar ⁠claimed victory.

"Einer Rubio has had around 20 ​stitches in ‌his face following the accident he suffered ⁠whilst climbing ​Alpe d'Huez," Movistar said in a statement on X.

Video footage showed the 28-year-old Rubio crashing at ⁠speed into the back of a ​UAE team vehicle which had come to a sudden stop on a flatter section of the ⁠course.

"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 something nobody wants ⁠to see. We wish Einer Rubio a speedy ​recovery," a UAE Team Emirates-XRG ‌spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Vincent Daheron ​in France; Writing by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)