Final stage cancelled in Austria after Drege death

The final stage of Sunday’s Giro d’Austria has been replaced by a memorial ride following the death of Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege.

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

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

A moment of silence in Drege’s honor will precede a “neutralized” walk in his memory.

There will also be a moment of remembrance before the ninth stage of the Tour de France in Troyes.

“Together with the sporting directors and riders of the teams, we have decided not to run today’s stage and instead to hold a neutralised condolence march in memory of Andre Drege,” said Tour of Austria director Thomas Pupp.

“The André Drege Memorial Ride was a wish expressed by André’s father, his teammates and the entire team. It is an opportunity for the entire cycling family to move on from what happened and honour the memory of André Drege.”

Coop-Repsol said it was “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.

UAE Team Emirates’ Diego Ulissi led the race by six seconds after the fourth stage on Saturday.

The Swiss cyclist from last June Gino Mader died at the age of 26, after suffering an accident during the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse.