Final stage cancelled in Austria after Drege death

The final stage of the Tour of Austria on Sunday has been replaced with a memorial ride following the death of Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege.

The 25-year-old, who had been with Norwegian team Coop–Repsol since 2021, was fatally injured in Saturday’s crash on the descent of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain.

Following discussions between the organisers, teams and Drege’s family, stage five from Kufstein to Kuhtai was cancelled.

A moment of silence in honour of Drege will proceed a “neutralised” ride in his memory.

There will also be a moment of remembrance 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,” said 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 said they are “devastated” by Drege’s death and asked that his family’s request for privacy be respected.

Drege was expected to move up to 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.

Last June Swiss cyclist Gino Mader died at the age of 26 after crashing on stage five of the Tour de Suisse.