Tour of Austria’s final stage cancelled after Drege’s death

Drege crashed during a descent of the mountain Grossglockner. His death was announced by race organisers after the stage ended, and the post-race presentations were cancelled.

Andre Drege died after injuries he sustained in a fall while racing downhill on the penultimate stage of the Tour of Austria. | Photo Credit: AFP

The final stage of the Tour of Austria was cancelled on Sunday after Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege died following a crash, with the organisers holding a neutralised ride in his memory instead.

Drege, 25, crashed during a descent of the mountain Grossglockner on Saturday. His death was announced by race organisers after the stage ended, and the post-race presentations were cancelled.

READ MORE | Norwegian rider, 25, dies after fall on Tour of Austria

“The memorial ride was the express wish of Andre’s father, his teammates and his entire team,” Tour of Austria director Thomas Pupp said in a statement.

“It gives the entire cycling family the opportunity to come to terms with what happened and to honour Andre Drege’s memory.”

The Tour de France also paid respect to Drege before stage nine in Troyes on Sunday, with the riders leading a moment of applause before the race.