Muriel Furrer: Swiss cyclist dies after crash at Road and Para-cycling World Championships

Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has died after suffering a serious head injury at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Switzerland.

The 18-year-old crashed during the junior road race on Thursday and was taken to hospital by emergency helicopter.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said in a statement following the “tragic” news: “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 Zurich 2024 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) said earlier on Friday it remained “extremely concerned” about Furrer’s condition.

However, as per the family’s wishes, it was agreed the championship would continue according to the race programme.

Furrer was a double silver medalist in the time trial and road race at this year’s Swiss road nationals.

Torrential rain fell during much of Thursday’s racing in Zurich.

Road cycling safety has come under the spotlight in recent years and the UCI introduced the SafeR campaign in 2023 to analyze risks involved in events.

Last year, Furrer’s compatriot Gino Mader was killed, aged 26, after a crash while descending at high speed during the Tour de Suisse.

In 2024, several serious incidents have occurred, including during the Itzulia Basque Country race in April where 2023 Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard was seriously injured.