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 unhappiness over the race.
Reviews of Drege’s passing emerged within the ultimate 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) gained 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 have been quietly instructed about Drege’s tragic loss of life.
“Now we have a reasonably cool job, but it surely’s actually harmful more often than not,” Pogačar stated post-stage, reflecting the sensation of many riders within the peloton.
Skilled riders are aware of 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. It is all the time like this in life,” Pogačar added.
“My ideas exit to his household and buddies 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 deal with one another.”
Simply over a 12 months in the past, Gino Mäder died following a crash on the descent of the Albula Cross in the course of the Tour de Suisse. And some weeks in the past, a 17-year-old Italian rider died in the course of the Junioren Rundfahrt race in Austria.
Regardless of efforts to enhance security, highway 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 in the course of the stage to attain factors. He most well-liked to not converse.
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 stated. “I don’t actually know what occurred. It is actually unhappy information.
Kristoff rode towards 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 somewhat bit as a result of I rode with him with the nationwide crew. He was an excellent man, and he had a superb season,” Kristoff defined.
“He was a quiet man, however he gained a number of races this 12 months and was on his solution to changing into knowledgeable bike owner subsequent 12 months,” stated Kristoff.
“It is actually unbelievable, however these items 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 acquired the information of André Drege’s tragic loss of life in at this time’s stage of the Tour of Austria. Our ideas and deepest sympathies exit to André’s household, buddies, 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 tough time, we want to specific our help to all these affected, and we stand along with the Norwegian biking group.”
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 together with his household, family members and teammates,” Visma-Lease a Bike wrote.
“A loss felt in the complete biking group. Our ideas are with the buddies, household and teammates of André Drege. Relaxation in peace, André,” EF Training-EasyPost stated.
Heartbreaking information from the Tour of Austria at this time. We’re sending all our love and power to the buddies, household and Staff Coop Repsol teammates of André Drege,” wrote Lidl-Trek.
Everybody at Cyclingnews want to lengthen their deepest condolences to André Drege’s household, buddies 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 tough 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
