"It's also our fault," Italian U23 rider makes emotional appeal to cycling world

The investigation into the death of Muriel Furrer at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich is ongoing, but it is occupying the minds of the peloton. Twenty-year-old Italian cyclist Andrea Raccagni Noviero, who participated in the World Time Trial Championships U23 himself, shares an emotional message where he appeals to the entire cycling world. He partly blames himself and all other cyclists for the incident.

Raccagni Noviero let his emotions run wild on Instagram. "I wanted to make a nice post with fun pictures of my experiences at the World Championship, but it didn't feel right. A week has passed, and no one talks about it anymore. One thing is certain: a rider like me was left in the lurch for more than an hour to die in the cold and rain during the most important race of the year. Maybe this post will not be as helpful as I would like, but it allows me to apologize to Muriel and her family."

"As I said, it's also my fault and the fault of all the other riders who never said anything about safety issues. If we're at this point, it's because we're not even trying to change anything. Everyone knows what happened in Zurich. I can't say much more because the situation is being investigated, and I didn't participate in that race. But I can speak about my own experiences. All the riders who competed in the time trial, like me (the pros, women, and U23), risked their lives in a descent that should never have been there. And everyone knew it."

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"People making the decisions don't care about our safety"

After Juan Ayuso, Tiesj Benoot, and Richard Plugge launched an appeal for change, the young Italian from Soudal Quick-Step's development team is adding strength to the noise. "It's not enough. We practice a sport that is already very dangerous. You know the risks involved, but this is something else. This means that people making the decisions don't care about our safety. And we have no respect for our own lives. We accept that, but is that what we want? At least Muriel's family doesn't."

"I offer my condolences, but simultaneously I say sorry. I had the opportunity to speak out about this but have not done so until now. We must do something to make a change, which is up to us because we have seen that it is clear that something is not working. I wish that as many riders as possible share this to make ourselves as loud as possible and make the sport we love a little safer. Ideas will come, but we have to start somewhere."

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Read also

Road Cycling World Championships turn tragic: Muriel Furrer (18) dies after fatal crash in junior women’s race

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

Goosebumps on arms and knot in stomach: Swiss medium claims Furrer was alone for nearly an hour and a half (!)