Following the tragic dying of André Drege on stage 4 of the Tour of Austria, organisers have introduced that the ultimate stage of the race is not going to be contested with a condolence journey set to happen as an alternative.
André Drege, a Norwegian rider for UCI Conti crew Coop-Repsol, fell on the descent from Großglockner on the queen stage of the Tour of Austria. His dying was introduced by race organisers following the stage end.
“Together with the sporting administrators and riders of the groups, we’ve got determined to not journey at the moment’s stage and as an alternative to carry a neutralised condolence journey in reminiscence of André Drege,” stated Tour of Austria director Thomas Pupp.
“The memorial journey was the categorical want of André’s father, his teammates and his whole crew. It provides the complete biking household the chance to return to phrases with what occurred and to honour André Drege’s reminiscence.
“Our whole crew is devastated by this tragic accident and our ideas and prayers are with André’s household,” he continued. “His family members and his crew Coop-Repsol at this extremely troublesome time.”
The Tour de France will even pay respect to Drege’s passing on Sunday, with fellow Norwegian crew Uno-X Mobility set to reach at first line 5 minutes forward of the stage begin to pay tribute to Drege.
Details on the crash itself and its fast aftermath are nonetheless scarce, with native police at present investigating the circumstances of the crash. However, fellow racer and witness to the crash Jaka Primožič shared his experiences briefly in an Instagram story on Saturday night.
“As the one witness I am unable to clarify how devastated I’m,” the Slovenian rider for Hrinkow Advaric wrote.
“This ought to by no means occur. A crash which was no one’s fault. I might give all the pieces to alter one thing in order that would not have occurred.”
Primožič continued, “My ideas are together with his crew and household. Rest in peace, could the biking heaven be good to you.”
Pro cyclists throughout the game have paid tribute to Drege, together with present Tour de France yellow-jersey wearer Tadej Pogačar.
“In the biking world, we have to go searching one another and care for one another,” Pogačar stated.
The condolence journey to be staged rather than the deliberate remaining stage of the Tour of Austria will comply with an identical schedule to the race plan, with sign-on starting in Kufsten at 10:15 CET adopted by a minute of silence earlier than an official begin at 13:30.
Everyone at Cyclingnews want to lengthen their deepest condolences to André Drege’s household, associates and teammates.
