The 18-year-old passed away from severe injuries the day after her fall in the junior women’s race. Subsequent races will proceed – in the spirit of her family, as they express.
Muriel Furrer competed in the individual time trial at the World Cycling Championships two days before her tragic fall.
“There is no comprehension, only pain and sorrow.” With these words, Swiss Cycling bid farewell to their athlete Muriel Furrer on social media on Friday afternoon. In a situation where thoughts and emotions are challenging to articulate: the organization is hosting the world championships, sending 40 athletes to the competitions, and hoping for a festive atmosphere in the streets of Zurich.
Then, on the seventh day of the race, a young, promising cyclist lost her life following a fall. “We are mourning the loss of a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always wore a smile,” the organization added. Shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday, the World Cup organizers announced the news of Muriel Furrer’s passing.
The 18-year-old fell during the junior women’s race in a forest above Küsnacht on Thursday. Furrer suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, was airlifted to Zurich University Hospital, and underwent emergency surgery. On Thursday evening, the organizers, along with the world governing body UCI and Swiss Cycling, informed about the rider’s fall and her “very critical” condition.
The circumstances surrounding Furrer’s fall remain unclear. Investigations by the authorities are ongoing. Upon request, Rega confirmed that a helicopter conducted a mission from Zurich at 12:52 p.m. on Thursday, the first such mission of the day. At that time, the junior women’s race had already concluded for an hour.
The World Cup races will go on
A few hours before the announcement of her death, the UCI, Swiss Cycling, and the local organizing committee stated that the racing schedule would proceed as planned on Friday. “The continuation will occur after consultation with and in consideration of the family’s wishes,” they wrote.
However, there now looms a heavy shadow over the event. The Swiss cycling community is particularly in a state of shock. Swiss Cycling canceled scheduled events on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Numerous individuals took to Furrer’s Instagram page to express their condolences, including Sandra Mäder, the mother of professional cyclist Gino Mäder, who passed away in an accident in June 2023.
The organizing association is allowing its athletes to decide whether they participate in the remaining races. A spokesperson for Swiss Cycling said prior to the announcement of her death that he was not aware of any withdrawals so far. However, this could certainly change. He emphasized, “What the family desires is of utmost importance to Swiss Cycling, and the family has clearly indicated their support for continuing the World Cup.”
Mäder died in the hospital the day after his fall at the Tour de Suisse. The race continued then as well, with the organizers of the state tour respecting the relatives’ wishes. Nevertheless, several cyclists chose to withdraw.
Following Mäder’s death, the UCI and other stakeholders urged for measures to enhance safety in cycling. However, these initiatives have only been partially implemented. In some cases, the effectiveness of the new measures has been questioned, such as the distribution of yellow cards.
The 18-year-old from Egg near Zurich distinguished herself mainly as a mountain biker and cross-country cyclist. In May of this year, she earned a bronze medal in the relay at the Junior European Cross-Country Championships and finished fifth in the individual event. Most recently, she was part of the junior squad for the World Cup in Andorra and the European Road Championships in Belgium.
The 18-year-old died from serious injuries the day after her fall in the junior women’s race. The next races will take place – in the spirit of her family, as they say.
Muriel Furrer competed in the individual time trial at the World Cycling Championships two days before her fateful fall.
“There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.” With these words, Swiss Cycling said goodbye to its athlete Muriel Furrer on social media on Friday afternoon. In a situation in which thoughts and feelings are difficult to put into words: the association is holding home world championships, sending 40 athletes to the sporting competitions, and hoping for a folk festival in the streets of Zurich.
And then on the seventh day of the race, a young, hopeful driver lost her life after a fall. “We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face,” the association continues. Shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon, the World Cup organizers sent out the news of Muriel Furrer’s death.
The 18-year-old fell in the junior women’s race in a forest above Küsnacht on Thursday. Furrer suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, was flown in a rescue helicopter to Zurich University Hospital and underwent emergency surgery. On Thursday evening, the organizers, together with the world association UCI and Swiss Cycling, informed about the rider’s fall and her “very critical” condition.
The circumstances under which Furrer fell remains unclear. The clarifications by the responsible authorities are ongoing. Upon request, Rega confirmed that a helicopter flew a mission from Zurich at 12:52 p.m. on Thursday, the first of that day. At this time the junior women’s race had already been over for an hour.
The World Cup races continue
A few hours before the news of his death, the UCI, Swiss Cycling and the local organizing committee announced that the racing program would continue as planned on Friday. “The continuation will take place after consultation with and in the interests of the family,” they wrote.
But there is now a heavy shadow over the event. The Swiss cycling scene in particular is in shock. Swiss Cycling canceled planned events on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Numerous protagonists took part on Furrer’s Instagram page, including Sandra Mäder, the mother of professional cyclist Gino Mäder, who died in an accident in June 2023.
The association of the host country leaves it up to its athletes whether they take part in the remaining races. A Swiss Cycling spokesman said when asked before the death was announced that he was not aware of any waiver so far. But that could of course change. In general, he states: “What the family wants is very important to Swiss Cycling, and the family is clearly in favor of continuing the World Cup.”
Mäder died in hospital the day after his fall at the Tour de Suisse. The race continued then too, with the organizers of the state tour also following the wishes of the relatives. However, several drivers got out.
After Mäder’s death, the UCI and other exponents pushed for measures to increase safety in cycling. However, these have only been partially implemented. In some cases, the usefulness of the innovations is questionable, which applies to the distribution of yellow cards, for example.
The 18-year-old from Egg near Zurich made a name for herself primarily as a mountain biker and cross-country cyclist. In May of this year she won bronze in the relay at the Junior European Cross-Country Championships and came fifth in the individual event. Most recently she was in the junior squad for the World Cup in Andorra and the European Road Championships in Belgium.
