Teen cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after crash at Road World Championships

Teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer died on Friday after a devastating crash at the Road World Championships.

The 18-year-old Swiss cyclist “fell heavily” during the Women Junior road race at the 2024 Union Cycliste Internationale Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, the UCI said.

Furrer was flown in a helicopter to a hospital in critical condition after suffering a serious head injury. The cyclist “sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital,” the UCI said in a statement.

“With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her,” the statement said.

The UCI and the organizing committee of the road world championships shared “their sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer’s family, friends and her Federation Swiss Cycling.”

Furrer’s family has asked that their privacy be respected at this time, the UCI said.

Swiss Cycling, which describes itself on its website as the “most successful Olympic summer sports federation” in Switzerland, posted a tribute to Furrer on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

“Our hearts are broken, we have no words,” the post read. “It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to say goodbye to Muriel Furrer today. We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.”

In a follow-up post, Swiss Cycling expressed its condolences to Furrer’s family, writing, “Our thoughts are with her loved ones and family. We ask that you respect her privacy at this incredibly difficult time.”

“Danke für alles liebe Muriel!” it added, which translates from German to “Thank you for everything Muriel!”

The Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), the largest international association of professional cyclists, wrote on X, “We join the grief of Muriel Furrer’s family and friends, and of all those who loved her. We are heartbroken and speechless in the face of this cruel destiny. R.I.P. Muriel.”

When announcing Furrer’s death, BBC Sport wrote on X, “Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Another Swiss cyclist, Gino Mäder, died on June 16, 2023, after crashing at the Tour de Suisse, Switzerland’s annual cycling race. The 26-year-old crashed on a fast downhill road, falling nearly 100 feet.

“Gino lost his battle to recover from the severe injuries he sustained,” his Bahrain-Victorious team said in a statement at the time. “Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur hospital, Gino couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge, and at 11:30 a.m. we said goodbye to one of the shining lights of our team.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.