Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege, 25, died in a crash during the Tour of Austria on July 6, 2024. Drege, a rising star in the cycling world, was descending Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, during stage four of the race when he suffered fatal injuries.
Drege was part of Team Coop-Repsol and had already made a significant mark in the cycling community with nine UCI-level wins, seven of which were in 2024. His team announced his death, expressing their devastation and extending their thoughts and prayers to Drege’s family and loved ones.
The crash occurred during a challenging descent from the Grossglockner to Heiligenblut. Race organizers stated, “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we have to announce the passing of Andre Drege. Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident.”
Local police confirmed the crash as an accident and are investigating the exact cause. In light of the incident, the post-race presentations were canceled, and the race’s final stage was replaced with a memorial ride. “The memorial ride was the express wish of Andre’s father, his teammates, and his entire team,” said Tour of Austria director Thomas Pupp.
Drege was seen as a promising talent, with his sights set on moving up to WorldTour level next year. His achievements this year included overall victories at the Visit South Aegean Islands race and the International Tour of Rhodes, among other notable wins. He had been with Team Coop-Repsol since 2021, where he spent his entire professional career.
Tributes have poured in from the cycling community and beyond. The International Cycling Union (UCI) expressed its condolences, stating, “The UCI is devastated to learn of the death of professional cyclist Andre Drege at the Tour of Austria. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and teammates” (ESPN).
Tour de France leader Tadej Pogacar shared his grief: “It’s hard to process what happened; we are all quite in shock. This is very sad to hear. My condolences go to his family, teammates, and loved ones.” Other professional teams, including Lidl-Trek and EF Pro Cycling, expressed their sorrow and support for Drege’s family and team.
Drege’s death is a reminder of the dangers professional cyclists face, especially during high-speed descents. The cycling community has experienced similar tragedies before, including the deaths of Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder last year at the Tour de Suisse and Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt in the Giro d’Italia in 2011.
Andre Drege’s family has requested privacy as they mourn their loss. The cycling world mourns with them, remembering Drege not just for his promising career but also for the passion and dedication he brought to the sport.