The Tour de France riders completed stage 8 to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises beneath 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.
Stories 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 Staff Emirates) retained the chief’s yellow jersey.
As they reached the rostrum space or rode onto the buses, the riders had been quietly instructed about Drege’s tragic loss of life.
“We have now a reasonably cool job, however it’s actually harmful more often than not,” Pogačar mentioned post-stage, reflecting the sensation of many riders within the peloton.
Skilled 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. Each rider’s loss of life is a second of deep reflection.
“Generally we do not respect sufficient what we’ve got. It is at all times like this in life,” Pogačar added.
“My ideas exit to his household and pals and to the organisers of the Tour of Austria and all of the riders there.
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“Within the biking world, we have to go searching one another and maintain one another.”
Simply over a yr in the past, Gino Mäder died following a crash on the descent of the Albula Cross throughout the Tour de Suisse. And some weeks in the past, a 17-year-old Italian rider died throughout the Junioren Rundfahrt race in Austria.
Regardless of 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 drag on the polka-dot king of the mountains jersey after once more occurring the assault throughout 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 crew flies the flag for Scandinavian biking and particularly Norwegian biking.
Solely skilled crew chief Alexander Kristoff spoke.
“I simply heard about it,” he mentioned. “I don’t actually know what occurred. It is actually unhappy information.
Kristoff rode in opposition to Drege and his Coop-Repsol crew within the Tour of Norway and the Arctic Race of Norway and collectively within the Norwegian nationwide crew.
“I knew André just a little bit as a result of I rode with him with the nationwide crew. He was an excellent man, and he had season,” Kristoff defined.
“He was a quiet man, however he received a number of races this yr and was on his strategy to changing into an expert bike owner subsequent yr,” mentioned Kristoff.
“It is actually unbelievable, however these things occurs, and sadly, it appears to occur increasingly more. It is devastating information.”
The crew later posted a message on social media with {a photograph} of Drege.
“It’s with nice sorrow that we at Uno-X Mobility obtained the information of André Drege’s tragic loss of life in in the present day’s stage of the Tour of Austria. Our ideas and deepest sympathies exit to André’s household, pals, family members and all his colleagues at Staff Coop-Repsol.
“André Drege was a gifted and devoted bike owner, and his passing is a big loss for the game. On this troublesome time, we want to categorical our assist to all these affected, and we stand along with the Norwegian biking neighborhood.”
Different 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’re saddened by the tragic passing of Norwegian rider André Drege. Our ideas are along with his household, family members and teammates,” Visma-Lease a Bike wrote.
“A loss felt in your entire biking neighborhood. Our ideas are with the buddies, household and teammates of André Drege. Relaxation in peace, André,” EF Training-EasyPost mentioned.
Heartbreaking information from the Tour of Austria in the present day. We’re sending all our love and energy to the buddies, household and Staff Coop Repsol teammates of André Drege,” wrote Lidl-Trek.
Everybody at Cyclingnews wish to prolong their deepest condolences to André Drege’s household, pals and teammates.
We’re 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
