The final stage of the Tour of Austria, scheduled for Sunday, has been replaced with a memorial ride following the death of Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege. The 25-year-old, a member of Norwegian team Coop–Repsol since 2021, was fatally injured in a crash on the descent of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, on Saturday.
After discussions between the organizers, teams, and Drege’s family, stage five from Kufstein to Kuhtai was cancelled. Instead, a “neutralised” ride will be held in Drege’s memory, preceded by a moment of silence.
Additionally, a moment of remembrance is planned before stage nine of the Tour de France in Troyes.
“Together with the sporting directors and riders of the teams, we have decided not to ride today’s stage and instead to hold a neutralised condolence ride in memory of Andre Drege,” stated Tour of Austria director Thomas Pupp. “The memorial ride was the express wish of Andre’s father, his team-mates, and his entire team. It gives the entire cycling family the opportunity to come to terms with what happened and to honour Andre Drege’s memory.”
Coop–Repsol expressed their devastation over Drege’s death and requested that the family’s privacy be respected. Drege was anticipated to join the World Tour level with the Jayco-AlUla team in 2025.
Diego Ulissi, riding for UAE Team Emirates, led the race by six seconds after stage four on Saturday.
In a similar incident last June, Swiss cyclist Gino Mader died at the age of 26 after a crash during stage five of the Tour de Suisse.
