Cycling World Championships continue in milder form after Furrer's death: "Swiss rider was lying in woods unnoticed for long time"

What was meant to be a grand celebration of cycling at the World Championships in Zürich, Switzerland, turned tragic on Friday. Muriel Furrer, a rider from the Zürich region, passed away in the University Hospital following a crash during the junior women’s race the day before. At a press conference on Friday at 5:00 PM local time, the UCI and Swiss organizers of the World Championships provided more details.

It was Thursday evening, 6:35 PM, when an unexpected press release from the UCI and the local organizers announced that a serious accident had occurred during the junior women’s road race. "Swiss rider Furrer fell heavily today. She was taken to hospital by an emergency helicopter." Sadly, by now, we know all too well that such messages usually signal very, very bad news.

"Muriel suffered a serious head injury and is in a very critical condition. Extremely concerned by the situation, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Swiss Cycling and the Zürich 2024 local organizing committee are closely monitoring developments," read the first update. The following morning at 8:35 AM, another message was released: "In accordance with the wishes of Furrer’s family, the World Championship schedule will continue for now, but her condition remains critical."

Meanwhile, the Swiss press was searching for clues, likely sensing the looming tragedy. Blick reported that Furrer had been lying unnoticed in the woods next to the road for a long time, right after a bend on the wet descent. The trauma helicopter reportedly landed an hour after the race, won by Cat Ferguson, had finished in Küsnacht — only 15 minutes away from Furrer’s hometown of Egg.

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Messages of support pour in for Furrer and her family

Support flooded in from all directions for the 18-year-old Furrer, who sustained traumatic brain injuries and underwent surgery the same evening as her fall. The mother of Gino Mäder, who passed away last year, wrote an emotional message to Furrer’s loved ones on Instagram, understanding the uncertainty and pain they were facing. But the inevitable news came at 2:48 PM local time on Friday, confirmed by the UCI and the organizing committee.

"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 today learned the tragic news of the death of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer," the cycling federation wrote 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 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."

The Swiss cycling federation expressed their heartbreak, stating, "Our hearts are broken, we have no words." They continued, "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."

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Another blow after Mäder’s death in the Tour of Switzerland

This marks the second time in just over a year that Swiss cycling has been plunged into mourning. Last year, organizer Oliver Senn and his team had to cope with the death of Gino Mäder during the Tour of Switzerland, a rider known for his noble character and wide-ranging view of life.

The wound from Mäder’s passing had barely begun to heal when another tragedy struck at the heart of Swiss cycling, with Furrer’s death on home soil, under the same organizational banner. A young woman who — due to a lack of communication or GPS — was left in the woods for far too long after her crash, the exact cause of which is still unclear.

At the hastily arranged press conference, the UCI and organizers offered their condolences. "What exactly happened is still being investigated. We respect the family’s wish to continue the World Championships, and that’s all we’ll say for now. We won’t be giving any further comments," said Peter Van Den Abeele on behalf of the UCI.

Organizer Senn added, "We are all struggling with this situation but need to find a way to continue with the World Championships. All Friday evening activities have been canceled, as well as the UCI gala on Saturday. There may be more changes in the coming days. The races will continue, as per the wishes of Muriel’s family, but everything else remains uncertain. We all want answers, but the most important thing right now is to support Muriel’s family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. The incident is under investigation, but no further details are known yet."