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Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer died from injuries sustained in a crash during the junior women’s road race at the world championships in Zurich, the UCI said Friday. She was 18.
Furrer fell heavily Thursday, was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter with serious head injuries and had been in critical condition.
“It is with great sadness that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland) today learned the tragic news of the death of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer,” the UCI said in a statement. “With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her.”
The UCI offered “sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer’s family, friends and her Federation Swiss Cycling.”
The cycling world mourns the loss of Muriel Furrer.
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to this young rider, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to all her family, friends, and teammates.
Rest in peace. đ pic.twitter.com/YEtEldhd59
â UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 27, 2024
The UCI said Thursday there were no “established facts” as to how the accident occurred. Heavy rain in Zurich meant the men’s and women’s junior road events were raced on slick roads at the nine-day worlds meeting.
“Our hearts are broken, we have no words,” Swiss Cycling said in a statement.
Before Furrer’s death was announced, the UCI said the world championships would continue.
“The continuation of the event is taking place with the agreement and in accordance with the wishes of the family of Muriel Furrer,” the UCI said in a statement. “The family would like the 2024 UCI Road World Championships to continue as planned.”
Furrer finished 44th in the junior women’s time trial earlier in the week.
Swiss President Viola Amherd offered her condolences on X.
“I am shocked by the death of the young U-19 rider Muriel Furrer after her accident at the Cycling World Championships in Zurich,” she said. “I offer my sincere condolences to her family. My thoughts are with the entire cycling family.”
Furrer is the second Swiss cyclist to have died crashing on home roads in the past two seasons. Gino Mäder suffered a fatal crash at the Tour de Suisse in June 2023. The 26-year-old rider went off the road and crashed down a ravine during a descent and died from his injuries the next day.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
