Muriel Furrer died in hospital. © Social Media / @maximeschmid & @jcadosch

Swiss rider Furrer dies after fall at cycling world championships

The cyclist Muriel Furrer is dead. The 18-year-old Swiss cyclist succumbed to injuries sustained in a fall on Thursday. This was announced by the world association UCI and the organizers. Murrer died in the University Hospital of Zurich.

September 27, 2024

From: dpa

"With the death of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community has lost a rider who had a great future ahead of her," said the UCI statement. Murrer's family asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time. The association scheduled a press conference for this afternoon at 17.00 p.m.

Furrer suffered severe traumatic brain injury when she fell in the junior women's race at the Road Cycling World Championships in Zurich. She fell in a forest on the circuit on the north side of Lake Zurich, which is used in all road races. Furrer was taken to hospital by rescue helicopter. However, the doctors there were unable to save her life.

The cyclist is said to have strayed from the path on the descent towards Küsnacht. © ANSA / TIL BUERGY

It is still unclear exactly how the fall happened. Investigations are ongoing. The World Championships continued on Friday with the U23 men's race.

Tragedy of a great talent

Furrer was considered an up-and-coming talent in Swiss cycling. She competed on the road bike, mountain bike and in cyclocross. At the European Mountain Bike Championships in Romania in May, she won the bronze medal in the team competition. Furrer lived very close to the World Championship course and attended the United School of Sports in Zurich.