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Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has died after suffering a serious head injury at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Switzerland.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 18-year-old crashed during the junior road race on Thursday and was taken to hospital by emergency helicopter.<\/p>\n
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said in a statement following the “tragic” news: \u201cWith the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her.<\/p>\n
“The UCI and the Organising 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.<\/p>\n
“Muriel Furrer’s family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time.”<\/p>\n
Swiss Cycling said on X: “Our hearts are broken.<\/p>\n
“It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to say goodbye to Muriel Furrer.<\/p>\n
“We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.”<\/p>\n
The Zurich 2024 Local Organising Committee (LOC) said earlier on Friday it remained “extremely concerned” about Furrer\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n
However, as per the family’s wishes, it was agreed the championship would continue according to the race programme.<\/p>\n
Furrer was a double silver medallist in the time trial and road race at this year’s Swiss road nationals.<\/p>\n
Torrential rain fell during much of Thursday’s racing in Zurich.<\/p>\n
British Cycling posted on X: “Everyone at British Cycling is devastated to learn of the passing of Muriel Furrer. <\/p>\n
“Muriel was a devoted young rider with a bright future ahead of her and will be sorely missed by the cycling world. We send our condolences to her family, friends and team-mates at Swiss Cycling.”<\/p>\n
Road cycling team Movistar said: “Sending all of our strength to the family, friends and team-mates of Muriel Furrer and to Swiss Cycling for this tragic loss. May she rest in peace.”<\/p>\n
Road cycling safety has come under the spotlight in recent years and the UCI introduced the SafeR campaign in 2023 to analyse risks involved in events.<\/p>\n
Last year, Furrer’s compatriot Gino Mader<\/a> was killed, aged 26, after a crash while descending at high speed during the Tour de Suisse.<\/p>\n At the Tour of Austria in July, Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege, 25, was fatally injured<\/a> in a crash on the descent of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n