The tragic death of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer, which occurred on Friday during the Cycling World Championships in Zurich, shocked the cycling community. At just 18 years old, Muriel Furrer succumbed to her injuries following a fall during the junior race, run in difficult weather conditions.
Tadej Pogacar’s reaction: “It’s a tragedy”
The new world champion, Tadej Pogacar, spoke on Sunday evening after his victory, emphasizing that this tragedy affected the entire peloton. “It is a tragedy, first of all obviously for his family and loved ones, for the Swiss team, but also for the entire cycling community,” he said at a press conference.
He added that “everyone ran thinking of her” during the weekend, recalling how this accident marked the competition.
A sport that has become more dangerous
Tadej Pogacar also spoke about the increased danger of cycling in recent years. “Cycling is a dangerous sport and has become even more so in recent years. It has happened too often,” he stressed, while calling for more caution on the road. For him, it is essential that cyclists take care of each other when riding in a peloton and that they respect each other to avoid further tragedies. “We are just human beings and we don’t want anything bad to happen to anyone,” he added.
The circumstances of the accident
Muriel Furrer fell in the pouring rain, near where she lived, during the junior race. After her fall, she was quickly transported to hospital by helicopter with severe head trauma. Unfortunately, she died the next day from her injuries.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has confirmed that an investigation is underway to clarify the exact circumstances of the accident. The details remain unclear for the moment, but this tragedy is a reminder of the risks inherent in cycling, particularly in competition.
The death of Muriel Furrer is a heavy loss for the Swiss and international cycling community. The young athlete, full of promise, leaves behind an immense void. His tragic accident highlights the need to improve safety conditions for cyclists, so that such disasters do not happen again in the future.