Details emerge over the crash that has led to death of Andre Drege

The death of Andre Drege has cast a dark shadow over the world of cycling this weekend. Many tributes have been sent from all corners of the sport. As the police investigate the crash that has led to his heart-breaking situation, details emerge over what has led the Team Coop - Repsol rider to crash at the Tour of Austria.

The Norwegian rider was in the breakaway of the fourth stage and had been dropped, and was riding down the Hochtor ascent halfway trough the stage. At the time only one rider was alongside him: Slovenian Jaka Primozic who shared an emotional message following the outcome of this crash.

But the Austrian police is trying to understand exactly what has happened in this descent and has talked to Primozic. In an interview with VG, representative of the Austrian police Andreas Lidner has explained the incident: “Jaka saw that there were problems with the rear wheel of Drege’s bike. Then something white came out of the tire. Drege then fell off his bike, Primožič told the police. The speed at that moment was between eighty and a hundred kilometers per hour, according to the witness. "Everything happened within a few seconds.”

A puncture in the high-speed descent looked to have caused Drege to lose control of the bike and crash at high speed. The enormous tragedy has seen the last stage of the race cancelled, but the Tour of Austria peloton nevertheless did a short tribute ride, with his teammates riding in front of the peloton, each of them with a '171' bib number which was his for the week.

The team was written this Sunday after the conclusion of the race: "The cycling community is one big family, and it has been incredibly moving to experience the immense support and compassion during this difficult time. It is something we deeply appreciate. Our captain, our friend - we will never forget you".