Muriel Furrer, 18-year-old Swiss cyclist, dies after crash at Road World Championships

Teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer has died after a crash at the Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.

Furrer came off the road during the women’s junior road race on Thursday. Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said the 18-year-old was immediately airlifted to hospital by emergency helicopter, where she died from a severe head injury.

“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,” it 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 18-year-old rider fell heavily yesterday, Thursday 26 September, 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 Zurich University Hospital.

“The UCI and the Organising 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.”

Furrer, who was part of Swiss development team BIXS Performance, had finished 44th in the women’s junior time trial held earlier this week. The road race took place in wet conditions after a torrential downpour on Thursday.

An investigation into the accident has begun.

Swiss Cycling posted: “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. 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.

The president of Switzerland, Viola Amherd tweeted: “I am shocked by the death of the young U-19 rider Muriel Furrer after her accident at the Cycling World Championships in Zurich. I offer my sincere condolences to her family. My thoughts are with the entire cycling family.”

Tributes were paid across the cycling community.

“The world of cycling lost a rider with a bright future,” Team Visma–Lease a Bike posted on Furrer’s Instagram page. “Our thoughts are with all the family and friends of Muriel. Rest in peace, dear Muriel.”

Furrer’s death comes less than 18 months after another Swiss cyclist, Gino Mader, fatally crashed at the Tour de Suisse.