Swiss cyclist died at the 2024 Zurich Cycling World Cup

• Muriel Furrer suffered a blow to the head and was taken by helicopter to the hospital

The Swiss junior cyclist Muriel Furrer, 18 years old, died on Friday, September 27, from the consequences of a serious head injury that caused her a fall during the road event of the Zurich 2024 Cycling and Paracycling World Championships.

The fall occurred on September 26, so Furrer had to be evacuated by helicopter to a hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition.

“Muriel Furrer unfortunately passed away today at the University Hospital of Zurich,” confirmed the International Cycling Unit (ICU) in a statement published on September 27.

The Swiss Federation mourned the death of the athlete through a publication on its website.

“With Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community has lost an athlete who still had her future ahead of her. The UCI and the Organizing Committee of the UCI Cycling and Road World Championships express their deepest condolences to Muriel Furrer’s family, her friends and her Swiss Cycling association. “The family asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” the federation said.

What is known about the fall

According to local media, Furrer fell on a descent, after taking a “dangerous” curve due to the rain, in a wooded area near the town of Küsnacht.

The cyclist remained in place, in the rain, while the race continued. Due to the accident, the athlete suffered serious head trauma.

For their part, the athlete’s relatives would have expressed their desire that none of the competitions be suspended after the event.

Photo: @murielfurrer

In this way, the World Championships will continue with the agenda in Zurich, although the rain has not stopped. The UCI, Swiss Cycling and the local organizing committee agreed to continue the competition over the weekend.

In June, Furrer placed second in the road race and time trial at the Swiss Junior Championships. In May, he won the bronze medal in the team competition at the European Mountain Bike Championships held in Romania.

One year since the death of Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder

Furrer’s case occurs just over a year after the death of fellow Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder during the Tour of Switzerland on June 15, 2023.

Photo courtesy

Mäder, after falling in the fifth stage of the competition, was found by the race doctor submerged in water. Although they managed to revive him and transport him by helicopter to the Chur hospital, the cyclist died a day later due to the severity of his injuries.

Before the Swiss cyclist fell, athlete Magnus Sheffield also had an accident at the same point, although he did not suffer serious injuries.

With information from EFE.

Related news