18-year-old cyclist dies at Road World Championships

She was airlifted to hospital following a crash yesterday

Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has died aged 18 after suffering a head injury at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Switzerland.

Furrer crashed during the junior road race on Thursday and taken to hospital via an emergency helicopter.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said: “With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her.

“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.

“Muriel Furrer’s family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time.”

Swiss Cycling wrote on social media platform X: “Our hearts are broken.

“It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to say goodbye to Muriel Furrer.

“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.”

On Friday morning the Zurich 2024 Local Organising Committee said it was ‘extremely concerned’ about the teenager’s condition but confirmed the championship would continue at the request of her family.

Everyone at British Cycling is devastated to learn of the passing of Muriel Furrer today.

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 teammates at… https://t.co/wL5MDgpwbv

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) September 27, 2024

British Cycling also posted a statement on X which read: “Everyone at British Cycling is devastated to learn of the passing of Muriel Furrer.

“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.”

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