Norwegian cyclist André Drege has died after a fall at the Tour of Austria, media reports said on Saturday citing event organizers.
The exact circumstances of the accident are not yet known. Drege was apparently part of a breakaway group on the penultimate stage, which was won by twice time trial world champion Filippo Ganna.
The stage went over mountainous terrain. Following news of the death, the post-stage awards ceremony was cancelled. It is unclear whether the final stage from Kufstein to Kühtai will take place on Sunday.
Drege rode for the Norwegian continental team Coop-Repsol. The 25-year-old had already achieved minor successes this year, such as overall victory in the Tour of Rhodes and the South Aegean Tour.
He was 38th in the overall standings at the Tour of Austria.
Only last year, the world of cycling was forced to mourn the death of Swiss rider Gino Mäder at the Tour de Suisse. This led to a safety debate in cycling.
But earlier this year, there was a serious mass crash at the Tour of the Basque Country, involving Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, world champion Remco Evenepoel and top rider Primoz Roglic. So far, this year’s Tour de France, which started last weekend, has been spared from serious crashes.
