A new tragedy affects Swiss cycling, one year after the death of Gino Mäder. Young runner Muriel Furrer, 18, died this Friday, September 27 after a fall the day before during the junior world championships in Zurich. “It is with very deep sadness that the International Cycling Union [UCI] and the organizing committee of the world championships […] de Zurich [Suisse] today learned the tragic news of the death of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer.announces the UCI in a press release, deploring the disappearance of a “runner who had the future ahead of her”.
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. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/YEtEldhd59
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 27, 2024
The Swiss had fallen heavily in the pouring rain during the junior road race at the world championships, on the same course as the other races on the program. The young woman was airlifted to Zurich University Hospital on Thursday with serious head trauma and was in poor condition. “very critical”.
The speed of the assistance in question
The exact location of his fall has not been specified. According to Swiss media, the accident occurred in a forest above Küsnacht, on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, and the rider was only discovered after a long delay. The Swiss newspaper Blick reports in particular that the rescue helicopter did not land in the area until an hour after the end of the race.
“I have heard about falls several times via Radio-Tour, but I have not seen any, tell Blick a press biker engaged in the race. When the race was over, no one thought anything bad had happened. There was no information in this direction. The boys’ road race also took place normally a little later. When I learned of the accident that same evening, I was very surprised and of course upset.”
“Investigations by the competent authorities are ongoing”the UCI indicated on Friday morning before the announcement of the death, adding that the world championships would continue with in particular the women’s and men’s road races on Saturday and Sunday.