The Tour de France riders completed stage 8 to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises underneath the rain and gray skies, with the loss of life of Norway’s André Drege on the Tour of Austria casting a veil of disappointment over the race.
Reports of Drege’s passing emerged within the closing hour of the Tour de France stage and riders didn’t seem to know the tragic information as they completed the stage. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) received the dash within the rising end, and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) retained the chief’s yellow jersey.
As they reached the rostrum space or rode onto the buses, the riders have been quietly instructed about Drege’s tragic loss of life.
“We have a fairly cool job, but it surely’s actually harmful more often than not,” Pogačar mentioned post-stage, reflecting the sensation of many riders within the peloton.
Professional riders are conscious about the dangers they take on a regular basis as they race on moist roads, gravel sectors and mountain descents however race on. Every rider’s loss of life is a second of deep reflection.
“Sometimes we do not recognize sufficient what we’ve. It’s all the time like this in life,” Pogačar added.
“My ideas exit to his household and mates and to the organisers of the Tour of Austria and all of the riders there.
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“In the biking world, we have to go searching one another and handle one another.”
Just over a yr in the past, Gino Mäder died following a crash on the descent of the Albula Pass in the course of the Tour de Suisse. And a couple of weeks in the past, a 17-year-old Italian rider died in the course of the Junioren Rundfahrt race in Austria.
Despite efforts to enhance security, street racing stays a harmful sport.
Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) was instructed the information of the loss of life of his fellow Norwegian within the podium space as he ready to tug on the polka-dot king of the mountains jersey after once more happening the assault in the course of the stage to attain factors. He most popular to not communicate.
The Uno-X mobility bus waited for his or her riders past the end space with the doorways closed and a way of mourning. The staff flies the flag for Scandinavian biking and particularly Norwegian biking.
Only skilled staff chief Alexander Kristoff spoke.
“I simply heard about it,” he mentioned. “I don’t actually know what occurred. It’s actually unhappy information.
Kristoff rode towards Drege and his Coop-Repsol staff within the Tour of Norway and the Arctic Race of Norway and collectively within the Norwegian nationwide staff.
“I knew André a bit of bit as a result of I rode with him with the nationwide staff. He was an excellent man, and he had a superb season,” Kristoff defined.
“He was a quiet man, however he received a number of races this yr and was on his approach to changing into knowledgeable bike owner subsequent yr,” mentioned Kristoff.
“It’s actually unbelievable, however these items occurs, and sadly, it appears to occur an increasing number of. It’s devastating information.”
The staff later posted a message on social media with {a photograph} of Drege.
“It is with nice sorrow that we at Uno-X Mobility obtained the information of André Drege’s tragic loss of life in at the moment’s stage of the Tour of Austria. Our ideas and deepest sympathies exit to André’s household, mates, family members and all his colleagues at Team Coop-Repsol.
“André Drege was a gifted and devoted bike owner, and his passing is a big loss for the game. In this troublesome time, we want to categorical our assist to all these affected, and we stand along with the Norwegian biking group.”
Other groups and riders reacted to Drege’s loss of life later within the day, posting messages on social media.
“My ideas and prayers are with André’s household and family members,” Remco Evenepoel wrote.
We are saddened by the tragic passing of Norwegian rider André Drege. Our ideas are together with his household, family members and teammates,” Visma-Lease a Bike wrote.
“A loss felt in your entire biking group. Our ideas are with the buddies, household and teammates of André Drege. Rest in peace, André,” EF Education-EasyPost mentioned.
Heartbreaking information from the Tour of Austria at the moment. We are sending all our love and energy to the buddies, household and Team Coop Repsol teammates of André Drege,” wrote Lidl-Trek.
Everyone at Cyclingnews wish to lengthen their deepest condolences to André Drege’s household, mates and teammates.
We are devastated by the tragic passing of André Drege🌹Our ideas and prayers are with André’s household and family members throughout this extremely troublesome time. André’s household has requested privateness as they mourn their loss, and we kindly ask that their needs are revered. pic.twitter.com/qtD79ItOnIJuly 6, 2024