Coop-Repsol manager Roy Hegreberg confirms this to NTB. The organizer has also mentioned the death and says that the accident happened during the descent from Grossglockner to Heiligenblut.
Hegreberg says the family has been notified. They want peace now in this difficult time.
– We are just destroyed. It’s unbelievably sad. What should not happen, happened. We are concerned about trying to take care of family and teammates who are left in Austria, says Hegreberg and continues:
– This is an unreal thing to be a part of. We can’t put it in yet.
Cyclists for Lillehammer
Drege was part of a breakaway on the penultimate stage, which was won by Italy’s Filippo Ganna.
In his youth he went to NTG in Lillehammer and cycled for Lillehammer Cykleklubb.
The latter writes on Facebook that they receive the news with great sadness, and that their thoughts and condolences go out to family, friends and teammates and the support staff of Team Coop-Repsol. Eirik Haagensen, chairman of Lillehammer CK, emphasizes the same in a message to GD.
Culture Minister Lubna Jaffery also comments on Drege’s death:
– This was extremely sad news to receive, and a great loss for Norwegian cycling and sport. My thoughts go out to the relatives of André Drege, she says in a message sent to NTB.
As a result of the news of the death the awards ceremony was canceled after the stage. It is not clear whether the final stage from Kufstein to Kühtai will be cycled on Sunday.
According to Eurosport, the organizer has sent a press release in which they write that Drege’s family and team together with the organizer will decide whether the final stage will be held on Sunday.
Check the bike
Werner Mayer of the Heiligenblut police tells TV2 that they have launched an investigation to find out what happened.
– We do not know why the accident happened. We have to ask other people on the trip if anyone saw the accident. No one has been charged in the case at this time. We are in the first phase of the investigation. We have collected the bike and will examine it. We have to see if it was a technical problem, or if there was another reason.
Drege rode for the Norwegian continental team Coop-Repsol. The 25-year-old has been a revelation in international cycling this season, winning overall in the Rhodes round and the South Aegean Tour.
(© NTB)
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