Achievements
Signed with WorldTour team
Directly from continental team to WorldTour team.
June 2024 - After several impressive performances at continental level in 2024, including 2 overall wins and 5 individual victories, he took the next big step: a contract with the UCI WorldTour team Jayco AlUla – a team at the top level of international road cycling.
Signing with a WorldTour team is a feat that only a few Norwegian riders have managed, and it is a testament to the enormous effort, talent and dedication André has put into his sport. This is not only a personal breakthrough, but also proof that Norwegian riders can hold their own at the very top of the world.
Even if you come from a small village, it is possible to achieve what you want. His achievement stands as a symbol of what is possible when you combine raw will with focused work and love for your sport.
Winner Tour of Rhodes 2024
Overall victory in the Tour of Rhodes 2024 – A testament to versatility and strength.
17.03.2024 - Victory in the Tour of Rhodes marked another major milestone in his career. The race, which covers several stages with varied terrain and often demanding wind conditions, requires both climbing skills, tactical acumen and solid team effort.
The fact that André came out on top overall not only shows his capacity as a rider – it also shows that he mastered the whole package: he could attack when it mattered, control the field when necessary, and get that little extra over several days.
The Tour of Rhodes victory confirmed his readiness for greater tasks, and gave him valuable experience in competing for overall results – a quality highly valued in professional cycling. It was an achievement that brought his name to the attention of international circles.
The 3rd and final stage is a race that was decided with the heart, and which showed why he deserved the overall victory.
Winner Visit South Aegean 2024
Dream start to the season – Triple triumph in the South Aegean Islands.
03.03.2024 - The start of the 2024 season could hardly have started better for André. In the two-day Visit South Aegean Islands race, he delivered performances that exceeded all expectations – and won both stages with equal ease. With that, he not only secured the overall victory, but also took his first two UCI victories of the season – in a row.
André showed both explosiveness and climbing legs, and emerged early in the season as a complete rider in top form. What makes his performance even more remarkable is that these were his first two races of 2024 – and after just two days with the start number on his back he already had three UCI victories. It is testament to a rider who had put everything into his winter training, and who was ready to make his mark among the very best.
On both stages, his teammates ensure that André is brought to the front of the field as he approaches the finish line. Both days end on an uphill slope. He crushes all opposition in both races with 2 powerful sprints.
3rd place Tour of Rhodes 2023
Podium in the Tour of Rhodes 2023 – from storm and setback to climbing and fighting spirit
19.03.2023 - The Tour of Rhodes 2023 was a race with both drama and unpredictable conditions – and André was central to the excitement that unfolded. Even before the start, it became clear that the conditions would play a role. The prologue, where André was among the favorites, was canceled due to a storm. For a rider with his pace characteristics, it was a clear disadvantage – the prologue could have given him a lead that he did not get.
Instead, it was a race where he had to fight his way up the overall standings, day by day. After the penultimate stage, he climbed a whopping 36 places, and was now in 8th place overall. It was a strong recovery, showing both form and mental strength.
On the last stage he went all out. He won the last sprint, and took the lead in the summary. It was set to be another sensation – but in the final it just didn't quite hold up. He finished in a solid 3rd place on the stage, and so was the result in the summary: 3rd place overall in the Tour of Rhodes 2023.
It was a race where margins mattered – but also a race where André showed climbing skills, tactical acumen and never gave up. Going from 44th place to the podium in two days is an achievement in itself. Further proof that he was always there – and never finished before the finish line was crossed.
"My teammate Kalle Kvam and I managed to get over the top in the first group of eight men. Almost everyone who was ahead of me on the overall list from the day before was gone. Only the Portuguese Antonio Morgado was on the same time as me in the summary at that point on the last stage. He won silver in the junior class at the World Championships last year, and is one of the biggest talents in Europe."
Winner e1. Circuit de Ardennes
Victory in the opening stage of the Circuit des Ardennes – tactics, courage and strength in beautiful union.
04.04.2024In the demanding Circuit des Ardennes 2024, André once again showed what he was made of – this time on stage 1. The stage was characterized by winds from all sides and high speeds throughout the day, which took a toll on the field. By the end, 37 riders remained in the lead, ready for a tough and tactical finish.
But André was not only physically prepared – he was also tactically one step ahead. Together with sports director Per Christian Eidevik, he had analyzed a critical point in advance: a hill towards the finish, where he could make the decisive impact. When they approached this hill after hours of wear and tear, he did exactly what they had planned. With perfect timing, he latched on – and immediately got a hatch.
The gap grew quickly, and with a powerful finish, André raised his arms as he crossed the finish line first. Behind him came strong names like Paul Magnier, Matthew Brennan and Joseph Blackmore, but no one was able to catch the Norwegian solo rider. It was a victory that combined raw physical capacity with strategic acumen – and which once again confirmed that André belonged among the very best.
"It was a hard day out there on the bike with rain and a lot of crosswind in the beginning! I was a bit unsure what to do in the finale, but made a counter-attack with 6-7 kilometers to go and thankfully I stayed away all the way to the line!»
Winner e5. Tour du Loir et Cher
Stage victory in the Tour du Loir et Cher – precision and power on the last day.
14.04.2024 - On the fifth and final stage of the Tour du Loir et Cher 2024, André showed again why he was a rider you could never give up a meter. The stage consisted of a circular course of around 7.5 kilometers that was to be ridden 12 times. With a tough hill towards the end of the round and a flat uphill that rose slightly towards the finish, everything was set for a dramatic finish.
André joined an offensive breakaway, and by the end of the race a group of seven riders had gained a gap of around 30 seconds to the main peloton. On the last lap, the excitement was palpable. Just before the finish, the peloton entered a 90-degree bend – and that’s when André took the initiative. He emerged from the bend first and immediately launched a sprint.
The last 200 meters were a pure show of strength. No one got past, and André could stretch his arms in the air once again. It was a victory that required tactical acumen, explosive strength and self-confidence – and it crowned a week of hard work and strong riding. Another UCI victory and further proof that he could decide races in both breaks and sprints.
Winner e2. Visit South Aegean
The next day it was time for the second stage – and another opportunity.
03.03.2024 - Stage 2 went from Rhodes Town to Salakos. The team had confidence in their captain in the yellow leader's jersey, and once again they delivered him safely into the decisive hill. But his body began to show signs of strain – André felt the cramps coming.
Yet he refused to give up. He mobilized his last strength and persevered – not just to the finish, but to victory. In the sprint he was the strongest of all, and the margin of victory was large enough for him to raise his arms above his head again, this time in the yellow leader's jersey.
Two stages. Two wins. One overall victory. And with that, André opened the 2024 season in spectacular fashion – with three UCI victories in his first days of competition, and a clear confirmation: he was back – stronger, smarter and more determined than ever.
Historic victory for the Golden Gutuers
Victory in Gylne Gutuer 2022 – a final triumph in Team Coop uniform
05.09.2022 - Gylne Gutuer was a race filled with both emotion and raw cycling power – and it was André Drege who put the finishing touches on it. This was André's first season in Team Coop, and he had already made his mark with his first UCI victory in the International Rhodes Grand Prix. But Gylne Gutuer was something more – a race with historical significance.
For Team Coop, this was the last race as a team. After 18 years in Norwegian and international cycling, the team was unable to find a new name sponsor and was to be closed down. But the riders wanted to finish in style – and their dominance in the race was clear. When teammate Eirik Lunder was caught by a group of ten men, André responded with one of his many hallmarks. With a wild acceleration, he went solo – 19 kilometers from the finish – and held on all the way.
At the finish line, he could raise his arms for his second UCI victory of the year, while teammate Andreas Stokbro secured a double victory for Team Coop with second place. It was not just a victory for André – it was a dignified farewell to a team that had given him and many other riders opportunities to grow. A ride, and a moment, that will be remembered.
"What a race, what a day, what a team. I'm so proud of the guys. Andreas coming in second today, it's absolutely insane. To finish like that here, it means so much. It means everything. Gylne Gutuer is the perfect race to win. It means so much for the team and for me it might open up some possibilities for next year. I don't know."
Wins the International Rhodes GP
First UCI victory - It was a race where everything was right – top form, clever tactics and a will of steel.
20.03.2022 - André took his first ever UCI victory – in the hilly and demanding International Rhodes Grand Prix. It was a race that confirmed both the form, courage and capacity of a rider who had only just begun to show what was inside him.
André was known to be in particularly good form in March and August/September, and this race was no exception. He recovered from an early break, but was caught back up as the peloton reached the only major mountain section of the race. However, he was strong enough to follow over the top, and after another phase of pushing and speed, a new, larger break formed – where André was once again in the right place at the right time.
In the slightly hilly terrain towards the end he was in a good position. On one of the last longer hills he attacked hard and caught two riders. Together they rode on, with high speed and good cooperation, and gained a solid gap to group 2 behind.
But as the main peloton began to approach the finish line, André made a crucial choice. With just over five kilometers to go, he pushed away from his two breakaway companions – and went solo. It required both raw power, high acceleration and mental strength. But he believed in himself, held on all the way, and was finally able to stretch his arms in the air:
His first UCI victory. And Team Coop's first victory in 2022.
Tore André Aase Vabø: "Fun fact about André's victory: He was in the first break that went, when it was picked up he went in the next break, rode so hard on the last hill that only two others from the break managed to keep up, then bumped away from those two with 5km to go. A pretty brutal way to take his first UCI victory!"
Winner Memorial Fred de Bruyne
Victory in the Memorial Fred de Bruyne 2023 – chaotic escape and perfect timing
27.09.2023 - The Memorial Fred de Bruyne is a classic Belgian fairground race – a one-day pro-fair with an intense, crowded atmosphere in the streets around Berlare. The race has laid the foundation for careers, and riders describe the speed as high – and the atmosphere as “a MUST-see experience.”
According to André himself, it was a chaotic affair – as he told Belgian TV: "It was pretty hard today". He eventually fought his way into a large break, which held up in the wind and the many laps through narrow streets and bends.
By the end, only a select few remained. After noting the crucial points on the run-up lap – a 90° right turn 1.6 km before the finish, followed by another 90° left turn 300 m later – André positioned himself perfectly.
On the last lap, he fought his way to the top of the break just before the first turn. There, with 1.3 km to go, he attacked with everything he had – with high speed entering the turn, accelerating out of the turn, and seeing no competitors behind him. He continued to drive hard towards the finish and rolled over the finish.
He crushed the last break and won clearly – and the photo of the victory is one of the finest ever taken. “Forever a winner in Berlare”.
Prolog wins Tour of Rhodes 24
Prologue winner in the Tour of Rhodes 2024 – determined, light and lightning fast
14.03.2024 - The race started with a demanding prologue – a four-kilometer hill with increasing gradient towards the end. We spoke to André before the start, and it was clear that he was completely focused. Precise, calm – and very concentrated on the task at hand. When he entered this bubble, you knew he was on.
André had made thorough preparations in advance. He had adjusted the height of his drinking bottle, spent his own money on lighter and stronger equipment, and optimized every detail to save weight. It was the little things that could make the difference – and he had thought of everything. He had also decided to open in a controlled manner, so as not to use up his strength before the steepest part of the climb, which came towards the end.
When he sprinted from the start, we knew he meant business. He stuck to his plan to the letter – and delivered a blistering finish. Even though he started early, no one matched his time. He won the prologue and was able to wear the yellow leader's jersey ahead of the first stage with a lead of 7 seconds.
It was a moment filled with pride. Not just because he won – but because we knew how much work, discipline and attention to detail went into it. This wasn't luck. It was precision, grit and determination.
2nd place International Rhodes GP
Centimeters from full pot during RICE 2024 – strength, class and learning
09.03.2024 - RICE, which stands for Rhodes International Cycling Events – is a series of three races over two weeks, and in 2024 André achieved a rare feat. He won both the Visit South Aegean and the Tour of Rhodes with authority and style – and was just inches away from winning all three.
The final race, a tough one-day race in hilly terrain around the island of Rhodes, offered all sorts of challenges: narrow roads, constantly changing wind directions and high speeds from the start. Nevertheless, André stayed with the team the whole way. He rode wisely, positioned himself at the front towards the final – and launched his sprint at the right time. He immediately gained a few meters and seemed to be heading for another victory.
But in the very last meters, a competitor came up the side and just managed to pass – by just a few centimeters. What could have been a historic "full pot" in RICE instead ended in a narrow 2nd place.
André wasn't completely satisfied – he was a winner, and always wanted more – but he took it with him as valuable experience. The race was further proof that he belonged at the very top, and that both his body and mind worked in all races, on all types of terrain. Two wins and one second place – RICE 2024 was an achievement of international stature.
3rd - prologue Tour of Rwanda 2022
Strong debut and youth jersey in the Tour of Rwanda 2022 – with a surprise in the hotel room
20.02.2022 - André's very first race for Team Coop was the Tour of Rwanda 2022, a demanding and high-altitude UCI.WR.1 stage race with an international top level. He had trained a little extra on tempo beforehand, but probably didn't think he would be able to claim the top spot - especially since he only rode regular road bikes, not tempo bikes.
The prologue, which opened the race on February 20, was 4 kilometers long and went through Kigali. It was a hard ride, with lots of rain, on wet asphalt and demanding conditions. But André delivered – and rode to a sensational 4th place, just 9 seconds behind the winner Alexandre Geniez (TotalEnergies). With that, he was the best U23 rider, and had secured the youth jersey.
The only problem was that he didn't know it himself.
Due to language difficulties, André didn't fully understand the results. Instead, he calmly cycled back to the hotel, took a shower and relaxed, until there was a knock on the door: the support staff rushed in, shouting that he had won the youth jersey and had to get to the ceremony site immediately. They barely managed to get the jersey over his head before he went up to the podium.
We were sitting at home watching social media – and didn’t understand much of what was being said on the live stream. But we heard his name called, and suddenly he appeared on the screen, wearing his youth jersey and a big smile. It was a moment we will never forget – and the start of something big.
André will keep the youth jersey after the next stage. Here he is given the jersey by Christian Prudhomme
3rd - e2. Tour of Rhodes 2024
Leadership under pressure – yellow jersey, fighting spirit and cleverness in the Tour of Rhodes 2024
16.03.2024 - After a dominant victory in the prologue of the 2024 Tour of Rhodes, where André Drege set the standard by a full 7 seconds to the next rider, he was the one who donned the yellow leader's jersey ahead of the first stage. It was a strong opening in a race where margins are usually small – but it would turn out that every second would count.
The first stage was hard-fought, and in a close final, André had to settle for 8th place. He lost a few seconds at the finish and to his competitors' bonus seconds – but he kept the yellow jersey, now with a narrow lead of four seconds.
The second stage, from Rhodes Town to Kalithies, was another test. André fought his way into the final and ended up in a good position, but a weak maneuver towards the finish cost him the opportunity to fight for the win. Nevertheless, he masterfully recovered and took a strong 3rd place – and with it came new bonus seconds.
It was enough to increase the overall lead again. With one stage left to ride, he had a 13-second lead in the summary. Everything indicated that he had both the legs and the wisdom to secure another, big overall victory. The excitement ahead of the final stage was palpable – but one thing was clear: André was in control, and the jersey was still his.
16. - e3. Tour of Rhodes 2024
Raw final stage of the Tour of Rhodes 2024 – A day where everything could have gone wrong.
17.03.2024 - The final stage of the Tour of Rhodes 2024 will forever be remembered as a demonstration of courage, strength and raw determination. The team worked steadily throughout the day to control the field and protect their captain. Eventually, the pace became so fast that several of the helpers had to drop out.
In the midst of the intense battle for position, a sudden twist of fate occurs: a group of deer come running down a slope and onto the road. André barely manages to avoid a collision, but his remaining support riders fall over and are out of the fight. Suddenly, he is alone – and at a time when the pace is only increasing.
After the last peak, the field is reduced to 18 riders. Down towards the coast, André is still sitting alone, while several of the competitors have several teammates around them – including Astana, which still has four riders. There are repeated attacks, and in the end 3-4 riders manage to break away. None of the remaining teams take responsibility for catching them up.
But André does not hesitate. With enormous strength and a clear idea of what is at stake, he sets off on his own. With a mixture of power, pace and tactical precision, he manages to catch up with the breakaway riders – just before the finish. What could have been a stage of bad luck and loss instead became a triumph and a masterpiece of a finish. A decisive effort that secured him the overall victory and showed why he was among the most exciting Norwegian riders of his generation.
3rd - e3. Tour of Rhodes 2023
Offensive driving force and leader's jersey at stake – final stage of Tour of Rhodes 2023
19.03.2023 - The final stage of the Tour of Rhodes 2023, from Rhodes town to Maritsa, was anything but a transport stage. With hilly terrain and a mountain section in the middle of the route, it was open to attacks and unrest in the field – something that should suit André well.
Even before the climb, the race was going hard, and the field began to split. Over the top, there was only a reduced field left, and when the descent began, André didn't hesitate: He attacked and threw himself down as the first man. With impressive technique and courage on the descent, he quickly gained a few seconds of advantage – and by the time he came down, he had increased the gap even further.
There were two riders in front, and André caught them. Soon after, he won a sprint about 40 km from the finish, which gave him valuable bonus seconds. When the team car came up and informed him that he was now leading overall, he got another boost – and then joined a 10-man breakaway group that also included Kalle Kvam.
André knew that this could last forever, and managed to calm down a bit and save his energy. When the sprint started towards the finish, a rider at the back of the group opened up very early. André reacted quickly and chased after, but just couldn't close the gap. It was a strong 3rd place on the stage – and a ride where he showed both tactical flair, downhill skills and overall ambitions.
The Tour of Rhodes 2023 was a race where André once again made his mark – at the front when it mattered most, always looking for seconds and opportunities. That was how he rode: actively, fearlessly and with determination all the way to the finish line.
2. - Team tempo NM 2021
NM silver in team tempo 2021 – Evje
In 2021, André Drege solidified his position as an outstanding tempo rider, this time in team tempo. During the NM team tempo in Evje, he rode together with Iver Skaarseth and Ådne Holter for Lillehammer CK 1 – a team that fought its way to the silver medal. They faced strong opposition, especially from Tønsberg CK 1, in a match where Ringerike SK's favorite team was not present.
The course was demanding, with around 50 km, and the team rode steadily and tactically smart. Iver Skaarseth gave it his all towards the end, before André and Ådne took over the last part. Despite a strong effort from the Lillehammer team, they were unable to catch up with Tønsberg CK, who took the gold. Lillehammer's team cycled in with a time of 57:57.2, finishing 24.3 seconds behind the winners, which gave them a well-deserved silver place in the Norwegian National Championships.
This was a welcome confirmation of André's tempo skills with teams, and marked one of his strongest performances in national tempo competition.
3. - Team tempo NM 2020
Strong pace ability – podium in the NM team pace 2020
André was a very talented time trial rider, and this became evident during his time at NTG Lillehammer and later at Lillehammer CK. He trained purposefully in time trial cycling for several years, and showed the ability to achieve high speeds over longer distances.
In 2020, he was selected for the Norwegian National Team Tempo Championship, on the Lillehammer CK 1 team. The competition was held in Bryne and took place on September 10. Together with Ludvik Aspelund Holvik and Ådne Holter, they fought for the podium places in a close fight.
The race was particularly close between the top three teams – Ringerike SK (with Andreas Leknessund and Søren Wærenskjold), Tønsberg CK and Lillehammer CK. It became clear that a good start was crucial, and the Lillehammer boys had a tough start, including riding half the course with only two riders. Despite this, they kept up the pace and delivered an impressive performance.
When the finish line came, only 2.5 seconds separated silver from bronze, and Lillehammer CK 1 secured a great 3rd place — just a couple of seconds behind Tønsberg CK and the winning team Ringerike SK. This was André's first podium finish in a senior-level Norwegian Championship, and clear proof of his capacity at pace – at team pace, where precision, cooperation and speed count most.
Multiple jersey wins
The climbing jersey in Visit South Aegean Islands 2023 – and several jersey victories throughout his career
4. - 5.3.2023 - During Visit South Aegean Islands 2023, André showed not only strength in sprints and overall competition – but also the ability to fight on the slopes and secure climbing points. In the short but tough stage race on Rhodes, he finally took home the KOM points jersey overall.
On the first stage, from Rhodes Town to Koskinou, the first climb came after 27.6 kilometers, and there André took victory in the first of two hill sprints. On the second stage, from Rhodes Town to Salakos, he followed up with another victory in the first KOM sprint after 86 km, and then a 3rd place in the last after 137 km. With this, he took home enough points to win the KOM points jersey overall, ahead of a strong international field.
This jersey win was far from unique. Over the course of his career, André also managed to secure the points jersey (for sprints), the climbing jersey and the youth jersey in various races – a clear testament to how versatile and competitive he was as a rider. Whether it was climbing, sprinting, winning the overall – or fighting for points throughout the race – André had the ability to dominate and perform at a high level.
2 victories in the Norwegian Cup
Two Norwegian Cup victories – breakthrough and dominance with raw finishes
André made his mark early on in Norwegian cycling, and among his most important national achievements are two strong victories in the Norwegian Cup – both with characteristic André acceleration.
First Norwegian Cup victory – Ronde van Vestkant, August 24, 2019
The first came during stage 2 of the Ronde van Vestkant. André was at the back of a group of 18 riders and struggled to keep up on the slopes, but pulled himself back in every time it flattened out. A couple of kilometers before the finish he managed to bite his way over the last hill – and there he nailed it.
With a raw finish and perfect timing, he got a good gap before the group behind could organize the chase. He held on and won by a two-second margin, ahead of the entire group. A victory that came with both tactical acumen and willpower,
Second Norwegian Cup victory – mass start in Sandnes, September 10, 2022
The second came in the senior class during the NorgesCup mass start in Sandnes, and showed a more mature, complete rider. The course south of Sandnes was both demanding and technical, with steep hills, narrow and winding roads. Towards the last lap the entire field was together, but some riders tried to break away.
The field gave a hard chase – and André, who was in great form after winning Gylne Gutuer just six days earlier, was in a good position throughout. When the break was driven in, the classic André push came: with a crazy acceleration he went for it, got the hatch and held off.
André crossed the finish line alone and took a strong victory in a high-level Norwegian Cup race – yet another confirmation of the capacity and finishing ability he had developed.
2 podium places in the Norwegian Cup
Two podiums in Uno-X Tour te Fjells – tough climbing stage and overall podium in 2022
In July 2022, André Drege competed in the Uno-X Tour te Fjells, one of the toughest races in the Norwegian Cup, with several stages and challenging mountain terrain in Valdres and the surrounding area. This was a race that required both endurance and tactical precision – and André delivered consistently at a high level throughout the race.
3rd place – Mass start, July 7, 2022
The mass start on July 7th was a tough ride with climbs and high intensity from start to finish. André fought his way through the strongest riders and managed his energy well throughout the course. In the end, he sprinted to a strong 3rd place, only beaten by two riders in a close fight.
3rd place – Overall, July 10, 2022
After 2 tough mountain stages, a hill tempo and a street race, André managed to stay at the top throughout the race. He was stable and aggressive, avoiding time loss on the crucial stages.
The national team in 2021
National team rider in the Arctic Race of Norway 2021 – key role as support rider.
In August 2021, André Drege represented the Norwegian national team in the Arctic Race of Norway, one of the biggest cycling highlights on home soil. The team included star riders such as Alexander Kristoff, Sven Erik Bystrøm and Andreas Leknessund, as well as three promising riders from Lillehammer CK – André, Holstad and Holter
Stage 1 – Tromsø–Tromsø (August 5)
Already on the first stage, André was highlighted as one of the best support riders. After a breakaway, he was given the role of controlling the field by sitting at the front. He himself said:
"Yes, that's right. There was a break that happened, and then we had to control it. I was given that task, so I sat up front and calmed the field a bit. We got help from other teams too, but I felt strong when I was sitting there up front."
This helped Kristoff to hold his position and avoid using unnecessary force.
Stage 2 – Nordkjosbotn–Kilpisjärvi (August 6) and Stage 3 – Finnsnes–Målselv (August 7) André continues with his tasks and contributes to Kristoff having the leader's jersey after the 2nd stage. On the 3rd stage he first helps the team with food and drinks. After the peloton starts to enter the break, we see André starting at the very back with the car full of bottles and then picking up the speed that was already high, up and ahead of everyone on the team. He had to get all the way to Ludvik and Ådne who were at the very front and driving on.
After the race, André said: "It was a really cool experience. Riding on the national team with Kristoff, Bystrøm and Leknessund, it was perhaps bigger than I had thought beforehand... Now I was in a field with so many pros and famous names that I have seen on TV, it was quite special" and "I am pleased that I managed to stick with Kristoff... I notice that the pros have an extra gear, but I felt that I was able to handle the level."
This gave André valuable experience at the professional level – as a support rider, control driver and tactician – and showed that he could deliver at the front for big names in demanding international races.
Victory and podium in local races
2016 – Youth year with Stranda Cycling Club
After starting road cycling in 2015, André Drege really took a step forward in 2016. As a young rider in Stranda Cycling Club, he competed in a number of races in Western Norway and inland – and showed both competitive instinct, endurance and tactical flair early on. Here are the highlights from the season:
May 8 – Ålesund Race (mass start)
André clearly shows offensive driving. He is the first to enter the penultimate right turn, just 400 meters before the finish at Spjelkavik elementary school. In the end, he takes a strong 5th place, in a field where, among others, Runar Sekse – who later becomes a teammate at NTG and Lillehammer CK – takes 3rd place.
May 22 – Ulstein-Nordea race (mass start)
Here he rides with several people from Stranda SK – including his mother Vivian. At the finish line he comes in 2nd place, in a race that meant a lot socially and athletically.
May 29th – Sykkylven Energy Race
It will be a victory in its own class. Not the largest starting field, but the joy of winning its first class victory is strong nonetheless.
June 1 – Eresfjord Classic (hill pace)
With a 3-minute handicap, André starts far behind. He fights his way to 12th place overall, a solid result in a tough uphill race.
June 11 – The Nibber Race
The classic uphill race from Geiranger to Dalsnibba Skywalk (1500 m). André rides strongly and takes 2nd place in his class after 21 km of climbing.
June 18 – Nordfjordrittet (mass start)
A long and varied course from Lote to Sandane, via Stryn, Loen and Olden. At the finish line, another 2nd place awaits, further proof of the consistency he had already established.
June 25 – Trollstigrittet (tempo)
Uphill and time trial in dramatic scenery. The start is at Trollstigen Camping and the finish is at Trollstigen Café. André places in the top 10 in the 17–19 year old class, in his first encounter with this iconic hill.
August 28 – Mount Værskei
A new climbing challenge, this time in Gausdal. This is André's first race as an NTG Lillehammer student, but he still rides in the Stranda SK jersey. He comes in 9th place – a great end to the season and the start of a new chapter in his career.
Very first ride
The first race – a spontaneous idea, a technical obstacle and an unexpected victory
6.9.2015 - Some time after a new road bike was bought with the confirmation money, André suddenly came to his parents one day and said he wanted to sign up for a regional race for 15-year-olds in Ulsteinvik – just three days later. There was no long planning behind it, just a strong desire to try. They fully supported André and Jørgen signed him up – even though they were actually a bit late.
When they arrived at the starting area in Ulsteinvik, they met young riders from established clubs like Ålesund and Molde, who were already well underway warming up on rollers. It was clear that this was a more organized level than they were used to.
– André got the bike, and I just asked him to ride it around a bit and warm up where there was room, recalls Jørgen.
They arranged the start number, and André got ready for his very first ride. But suddenly a problem arose: the bike was not approved. Commissioner Eldar Høidal from Sykkylven took a look and explained that the bike had too heavy gears for the age group – and that the bike itself was too light according to the regulations.
Fortunately, Eldar sorted things out. He adjusted the gears so that the heaviest ones could not be used, and tied a tool around the bike frame to add enough weight. That way, André was still able to start – and he thanked them for their trust in the best possible way - He won the race.
– We knew so little, and it could easily have ended with him not being able to ride a bike at all. But it went well. And that gave André even more motivation, says Jørgen.
This was the start of his racing career – a moment where determination, improvisation and a little help from a cycling veteran gave a future top cyclist his first taste of competition, mastery and victory.
3. - e3. Tour of Qinghai Lake
Første pallplass i et 2.Pro-ritt – høyde, vilje og kraft i Tour of Qinghai Lake 2023
11.07.2023 - Sommeren 2023 reiste Team Coop Repsol til Kina for å delta i det prestisjefylte og ekstremt krevende Tour of Qinghai Lake – et åtte dagers etapperitt som foregår i stor høyde, med snitt på rundt 3200 moh og det høyeste punktet på hele 4108 moh. For å forberede seg best mulig ankom laget Kina 6–7 dager før start, for å akklimatisere seg til høyden og forberede kroppene på det som ventet.
Rittet startet den 9. juli, og allerede på 3. etappe, fra Guide til Huzhu, ble rytterne satt på store prøver. Etappen inkluderte tre fjellpasseringer på over 3000 meters høyde – og på tynn luft og slitne bein ble det et nådeløst løp.
Mot mål hadde to ryttere fått en luke, mens en gruppe på rundt 30 ryttere, blant dem André, Cedrik Bakke Christophersen og Magnus Wæhre, jaget hardt. Inn mot mål nærmet de seg sakte men sikkert.
Da det gjensto 350 meter, tok André saken i egne hender. Han eksploderte ut av gruppe 2 med en rå akselerasjon som ingen klarte å matche. Han tok spurten med voldsom kraft på flatt parti – og sikret seg en 3. plass på etappen.
Det ble hans første pallplass i et 2.Pro-ritt, og nok et bevis på at han kunne prestere på høyt internasjonalt nivå. I en melding inn til Nyss skrev han "Ein føler seg skikkeleg proff når ein høyrer helikopteret flyg lågt over ein og høyrer publikum heie. Ein kjenner ein lever når ein sit tett i feltet og susar av garde i 70 km/t. Eg elskar den følelsen"