The tragic death of Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege during
Stage 4 of the 2024
Tour of Austria has been attributed to a mechanical issue,
according to new findings released by the Klagenfurt Public Prosecutor's
Office. Drege, a 25-year-old rider, lost his life while descending during the
stage, a loss that sent shockwaves through the cycling community.
Following an investigation into the fatal accident,
authorities confirmed that the incident was caused by a problem with the rear
wheel of Drege’s bike.
The Austrian publication Die Presse reported that
the rear wheel was "damaged by the impact with a hard object on the road,
probably just before the bend where the fall occurred."
This revelation sheds light on the circumstances of the
accident, which had remained unclear for months since. The mechanical failure
appears to have played a critical role in Drege's inability to navigate the
descent safely, leading to the crash.
The loss of Andre Drege, a promising young rider, has been
deeply felt within the cycling world, and these findings may prompt further
discussion on safety measures and equipment standards in professional racing
going forward.