“Our hearts are broken, we have no words”

The cycling world mourns Muriel Furrer. The young Swiss rider succumbed to her injuries the day after her serious fall at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich.

The 18-year-old from Zurich fell in the junior women’s road race in a forest on Thursday for reasons that remain unclear. She was flown by rescue helicopter to Zurich University Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a severe traumatic brain injury. Now she has succumbed to her injuries.

The Swiss cycling association Swiss Cycling summarized the sadness in the following words in a post on social media. «It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to 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.”

«I am stunned by the death of the young U-19 rider Muriel Furrer after her accident at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich. I express my heartfelt condolences to the relatives. “My thoughts are with the entire cycling family,” writes Federal Councilor Viola Amherd on X.

Two Swiss Olympic champions are also dismayed. «Terribly sad news. My deepest condolences to Muriel’s relatives,” wrote mountain biker Nino Schurter on Instagram. Four-time time trial world champion Fabian Cancellara also expressed his feelings there. «It’s crazy to lose such a young athlete. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment.”

Lotte Kopecky, the elite road world champion, also expressed her sadness in an Instagram story. “It happens far too often and far too quickly. “My thoughts are with her family, friends and teammates,” wrote the Belgian.

Sandra Mäder, the mother of Gino Mäder, who died in an accident last year, addressed Furrer’s family directly on Instagram. On the day of the accident, before the terrible news of her death, she commented on the Zurich woman’s last Instagram entry: “Dear Furrer family, I feel for you. Very intense and I know so much how you must be feeling now. Stay tuned. I wish you a lot of strength to get through these hours.”

Team Visma reacts to Muriel Furrer’s last Instagram post with a message: “The world of cycling has lost a rider with a great future.” Our thoughts are with Muriel’s family and friends. Rest in peace, dear Muriel.”

Cycling World Cup should continue

The organizers of the World Cycling Championships and the world association also express their sadness. “With Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community is losing an athlete who still had her future ahead of her,” it said in a statement. “The UCI and the organizing committee of the UCI Cycling and Road World Championships express their deepest condolences to the family of Muriel Furrer, her friends and her association Swiss Cycling.”

On Friday morning, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Swiss Cycling and the local organizing committee agreed to continue the World Cup. Sticking to the program also took place after consultation with and in the interests of Muriel Furrer’s family. The relatives of those seriously injured want the World Cup to continue as planned.

The tragic death also made international headlines. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends,” writes the British BBC on “X”.

Fate is reminiscent of Gino Mäder

The news of his death hits the Swiss cycling scene just over 15 months after the tragic accidental death of Gino Mäder. He fell on the descent from the Albula Pass at the Tour de Suisse 2023 and died in hospital the next day. Even then, the country tour was continued at the family’s request.

These serious accidents in cycling are not uncommon. Only in July, the Norwegian professional cyclist André Drege died in a fall on the descent from the Großglockner during the Tour of Austria. The tragedies sparked a debate about safety in cycling, with the route in many races being criticized for being too risky.

An emerging talent

Muriel Furrer was considered an up-and-coming talent in Swiss cycling. In June they came second in the road race and time trial at the Swiss junior championships. They also showed off their strengths in mountain biking and cycling. In May she was part of this team at the European Mountain Bike Championships in Romania, which won bronze in the team competition.

She lived in Egg, not far from Uster, where the junior women’s road race starts on Thursday. She attended the United Sports School in Zurich and completed commercial training there.

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