Cyclist Muriel Furrer died on Friday September 27, 2024, after being airlifted to hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, due to a heavy fall during the junior women’s road race counting for the World Championships. She was 18 years old.
It’s a real tragedy that has struck the world of cycling… The Swiss Muriel Furrer died on Friday September 27, 2024, at the age of 18, announced the International Cyclist Union on its website. The runner had a heavy fall in the middle of the junior women’s road race at the World Championships in Zurich, which took place in the rain the day before, Thursday September 26. The accident occurs a year after the death of Gino Mäder, on June 16, 2023, who also had a fatal fall during the Tour de Suisse.
Transported by helicopter in a very critical condition, Muriel Furrer lost her life a few hours after her serious accident
The International Cyclist Union (UCI) explained that the young woman had been seriously injured in the head on Thursday September 26 during the race, “before being transported by helicopter to hospital in a very critical condition.” The location of the fall was not specified, but according to Swiss media, Muriel Furrer was found several minutes after her fall, in a forest included in the course program. On its website, the UCI pays a touching tribute to the 18-year-old cyclist: “With the death of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community has lost a rider with a great future. (…) The UCI and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships present their sincere condolences to the family, friends of Muriel Furrer and to her Swiss Cycling Federation“, we can read.
“Be strong” : Gino Mäder’s mother delivers a message of support to Muriel Furrer’s family
On social networks, the Swiss Cycling Federation paid a vibrant tribute to Muriel Furrer. On Instagram, next to a photo of the young woman, the team wrote: “Our hearts are broken, we have no words. It is with heavy hearts and infinite sadness that we must say goodbye to Muriel Furrer today. We are losing a warm and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and family. We ask that you respect their privacy during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for everything dear Muriel!“. A few hours before learning of his death, the mother of Gino Mäder, who disappeared in 2023 in similar circumstances, left a poignant message for the cyclist and her family on her Instagram account: “I am so sorry about your family. Be strong, dear Furrer family (…) Hold on, I wish you lots of strength to get through these hours“, we can read in the comments, under a photo of the runner born in 2006.
