The parents of the late Norwegian rider Andre Drege (right) of Team Coop Repsol talk with Slovenian rider Jaka Primozic (third from right) of the Hrinkow Advarix team during a memorial ride from Innsbruck to Pacherkofel during the 2024 Tour of Austria in Kufstein on July 7, 2024. Norwegian rider Andre Drege died from injuries sustained in a fall during a downhill race on the penultimate stage of the Tour of Austria, organizers announced on July 6. (Photo by Johan Gloder/Various sources/AFP)/Austria OUT
July 7, 2024
AUSTRIA (AFP) — The final stage of the Tour of Austria “will not take place” following the tragic death of Norwegian rider Andre Droege, race organizers announced on Sunday.
The race was changed to a condolence race at the request of Draige’s family and team, Co-op Repsol.
“In collaboration with the teams’ sporting directors and riders, we have decided not to ride today’s stage and to instead organise a neutral tribute ride in memory of Andre Draege,” Tour director Thomas Papp said in a statement on social media.
“The memorial ride was the express wish of Andre’s father, his teammates and the whole team. This ride gives the whole cycling family an opportunity to come to terms with what has happened and to honour the memory of Andre Draege.”
“Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers go out to Andre’s family, his loved ones and his team Co-op Repsol during this extremely difficult time.”
Droege died on Saturday from injuries he sustained in a fall on a downhill stretch on the penultimate stage of the Tour of Austria.
The 25-year-old rider had been part of the lead pack on the Grossglockner region, one of Austria’s highest roads, during the race’s penultimate stage four, when he crashed, according to a statement from organisers.
Last year, a 17-year-old Italian was killed during a downhill race in a regional junior race in Austria.
Gino Mader, a 26-year-old Swiss rider, suffered a fatal crash during the Tour of Switzerland in June 2023.
The first half of this season was marked by a serious decline within the pack.
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