In a somber turn of events, the Tour de France was marred by the tragic passing of Norway's Andre Drege during the Tour of Austria, casting a veil of sadness over the race. The news of Drege's death emerged in the final hour of the Tour de France stage, leaving riders unaware of the heartbreaking incident as they crossed the finish line under rainy and grey skies.

Biniam Girmay of Intermarché-Wanty emerged victorious in the sprint finish, while Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates retained the iconic yellow jersey. However, their joy was short-lived as they were quietly informed about Drege's untimely demise when reaching the podium area or boarding their buses.

Reflecting on the dangers faced by professional cyclists every day, Pogačar expressed the precarious nature of their profession. "We have a pretty cool job, but it's really dangerous most of the time," he said. The tragic passing of a fellow rider serves as a stark reminder of the risks they take while racing on wet roads, gravel sectors, and treacherous descents.

Gino Mäder's death just over a year ago during the Tour de Suisse and the recent loss of a 17-year-old Italian rider during the Junioren Rundfahrt race in Austria further highlight the inherent dangers of road racing. Despite efforts to improve safety, this sport remains perilous.

Jonas Abrahamsen from Uno-X Mobility, a fellow Norwegian cyclist, received the news of Drege's passing in the podium area as he was preparing to put on the polka-dot king of the mountains jersey. Overwhelmed by the tragic news, Abrahamsen chose not to comment.

The Uno-X Mobility team, a strong advocate for Scandinavian and Norwegian cycling, mourned the loss behind closed doors on their bus. Only team leader Alexander Kristoff spoke, describing Drege as a talented cyclist and a genuinely good person. Kristoff had raced alongside Drege in the Tour of Norway, the Arctic Race of Norway, and the Norwegian national team.

Other teams and riders expressed their condolences on social media, acknowledging the profound loss felt throughout the cycling community. Remco Evenepoel, Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-EasyPost, and Lidl-Trek all shared heartfelt messages of support for Drege's family, friends, and teammates.

The tragic passing of Andre Drege serves as a painful reminder of the risks inherent in professional cycling. As the Tour de France continues, the cycling world must come together to support one another and prioritize safety. Our deepest condolences go out to Drege's family, friends, and Team Coop-Repsol as they mourn the loss of a talented and dedicated cyclist.