What's happened
Muriel Furrer, an 18-year-old Swiss cyclist, died following a serious crash during the junior women's road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich. She was airlifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries. The cycling community mourns her loss as investigations into the incident continue.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Sky News, Muriel Furrer fell heavily during the junior women's road race and was airlifted to Zurich University Hospital, where she later died. The UCI expressed its sorrow, stating, "With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her." The Guardian echoed this sentiment, noting the tragic nature of her death and the ongoing investigations into the crash. The Independent highlighted that Furrer's family has requested privacy during this difficult time, underscoring the personal impact of this tragedy.
How we got here
Furrer was competing in the junior women's road race when she fell on rain-slicked roads. She had previously finished 44th in the junior women's time trial earlier in the week. This incident marks the second death of a Swiss cyclist in over a year.
More on these topics
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The Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland.
The UCI issues racing licenses to riders and enforces disciplinary rules, such
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Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland, and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich.
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Muriel Furrer (1 July 2006 – 27 September 2024) was a Swiss mountain biker, road cyclist, and cyclo crosser. She won a bronze medal in the mixed relay at the 2024 European Mountain Bike Championships. In road cycling, she was the runner-up at the nation