Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer suffered a spectacular fall on Thursday, September 26, during the women’s junior road race at the 2024 UCI Para-cycling and Road World Championships, in Zurich (Switzerland), for reasons yet to be determined. Muriel Furrer was taken to hospital by emergency helicopter. She suffered a serious head injury and less than 24 hours later, the UCI confirmed the worst news, her death.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Swiss Cycling and the Zurich 2024 Local Organising Committee closely followed the developments until this Friday the UCI issued the following statement confirming the tragic loss:

“It is with great sadness that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Organising Committee of the UCI 2024 Road Cycling and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland) received today the tragic news of the death of the young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer. With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a cyclist with a bright future ahead of her. The 18-year-old cyclist suffered a heavy fall yesterday, Thursday 26 September, during the junior women’s road race and sustained a serious head injury before being transferred by helicopter to hospital in a very critical condition. Muriel Furrer passed away today at the University Hospital in Zurich.

The UCI and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Muriel Furrer, as well as to her Swiss Cycling Federation. Muriel Furrer’s family asks that their privacy be respected at this painful time.”