Swiss junior rider Muriel Furrer dies after crash at World Championships
18-year-old crashed during women's junior road race and was taken to hospital by air ambulance
Swiss junior rider Muriel Furrer has died following on from a crash in the junior women’s road race at the World Championships in Zürich.
In a press release issued on Friday afternoon, the UCI confirmed the 18-year-old’s death after she suffered a "serious head injury" in the crash on Thursday. The incident reportedly took place on the southern end of the Zürich city circuit, which is being tackled by all road races this weekend, including the ongoing men's under-23 race. There have been multiple crashes on the road race route, largely due to the wet weather.
Earlier on Friday, the UCI confirmed that the World Championships would continue despite the incident, and that there were "no established facts regarding how the accident happened". "Investigations by the competent authorities are ongoing," a spokesperson said.
The latest UCI statement read: "It is with great sadness that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zürich (Switzerland) today learned the tragic news of the death of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer.
"With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her. The 18-year-old rider fell heavily yesterday, Thursday September 26, during the Women Junior road race, and suffered a serious head injury before being flown to hospital by helicopter in a very critical condition. Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zürich University Hospital.”
It continued: "The UCI and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships offer their sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer's family, friends and her Federation Swiss Cycling.
"Muriel Furrer's family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Furrer finished second in both the junior road race and time trial at Switzerland's national championships this year, and finished 44th in the junior time trial at the Worlds on Tuesday. This was her second and final year at junior level. She rode for BIXS Performance Race Team, a Swiss mountain bike squad, and also competed in cyclo-cross, in which she also finished second in the Swiss nationals last season. Furrer was from Egg, just to the south of Zürich.
"Our hearts are broken, we have no words It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to say goodbye to Muriel Furrer today," Swiss Cycling posted on X. "We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness."
Last year, Gino Mäder died following a crash at the Tour de Suisse, in another heartbreaking event for Swiss Cycling. In July this year, Norwegian ride André Drege died after a crash at the Tour of Austria.
The UCI set up SaferR, a cycling safety initiative, last June to help improve safety in professional cycling. It is overseen and funded by a number of pro cycling organisations, including the UCI, the CPA riders association, the AIOCC race organiser group, the UNIO women's team association and the AIGCP teams group.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
British Cycling CEO says there is 'no easy solution' to 20mph restrictions issue faced by UK race organiser
Junior Tour of Wales hit by last minute route change in August due to 11 kilometres of 20mph zones on course
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
4 surprising Amazon Prime Day buys I use daily as a cyclist
Save on an ultrasonic cleaner, a coffee maker, a shoe drier and more during Amazon Prime Day
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UCI Road World Championships 2024 - road race contenders
Your guide to the favourites for the road races at the 2024 Zürich Road and Para-cycling Worlds
By Stephen Puddicombe Last updated
-
'I have to pinch myself and figure out if it's real or not, especially after all the s**t in the past': Stevie Williams ahead of World Championships debut
Welshman looking to end best ever year on a high in Zurich after Tour down Under, Flèche Wallonne and Tour of Britain Men victories
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UCI Road World Championships 2024 - time trial contenders
Your guide to the favourites for the time trials at the 2024 Zürich Road and Para-cycling Worlds
By Adam Becket Published
-
Pogačar mania takes hold in Canada with 2026 Montréal World Championships on the horizon
Organiser of GP Québec and Montréal gearing up for Worlds returning to North America in 2026
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'The chance is there': Tadej Pogačar builds World Championships form with dominant GP Montréal victory
Slovenian full of 'confidence and motivation' after winning final warm up race before Zurich
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-