Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer remembered as investigation continues

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Swiss junior cyclist Muriel Furrer, 18, was laid to rest in an emotional ceremony weeks after her tragic death at the 2024 UCI road world championships in Zürich.

As family and friends wished her goodbye in a packed memorial ceremony last week, the official investigation continues.

Furrer, who crashed during the junior race on September 26, died from severe head injuries a day later. Her death sparked ongoing questions about rider safety and prompted a legal inquiry.

Swiss daily Blick reported that both local police and prosecutors are still trying to determine a time line and possible cause of her crash.

Officials said it’s too early to determine if there might be some sort of criminal or legal implications in the aftermath of the tragic racing death.

“The extensive investigations involving the University’s Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Zurich Forensic Institute are ongoing,” the chief public prosecutor’s office told Blick. “The investigation is not yet complete. It is currently not possible to make any predictions as to when the investigation will be completed, as not all investigations have yet been completed.”

Furrer crashed during the junior women’s road race, and was left undiscovered, according to some reports, for an estimated hour and a half after veering off course into the woods.

A critical question surrounding her death is how a rider could remain missing during an international competition for such an extended period.

Still waiting for conclusion of investigation

Authorities also confirmed that an official autopsy and cause have death have not yet been finalized.

“In such cases, the law enforcement authorities always examine the question from the outset of whether there has been criminally relevant misconduct and whether criminal proceedings should be opened as a result,” the prosecutor’s officials told Blick. “To date, no criminal proceedings have been opened.”

A similar investigation into the racing death of Gino Mäder, who died from a high-speed fall at the 2023 Tour de Suisse, took several months to conclude.

Our hearts are broken, we have no words

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. pic.twitter.com/tFy9nAb1BS

— Swiss Cycling (@swisscycling) September 27, 2024

The aftermath of Furrer’s crash provoked a fresh wave of indignation about rider safety and raised new questions about why a ban of race radio is imposed during international competition like the worlds and the Olympic Games.

While mourners expressed gratitude for her legacy, questions remain about alleged gaps in safety protocols and how a reported delayed in response from emergency medical teams that might have influenced the outcome.

Though she was airlifted to a nearby hospital, Furrer died of head injuries the following day.

Tearful farewell for a rising star

Family, friends, and the cycling community gathered over the weekend to honor Furrer’s memory, Swiss media reported.

Her mother, Christine, shared a heartfelt letter that was read by a local pastor that recounted Furrer’s achievements in ballet, music, and art alongside her dreams of racing the Olympics one day.

“From the third grade you went to school. That was far enough away to be able to ride a bike to school. That was the beginning of your career,” the letter read. “I have always been one of your biggest fans. And we had so many plans together.’

The letter also touched on the pressures Furrer faced, including struggles with eating disorders and the demands of competitive cycling.

“Why wasn’t I allowed to go for you? How are we supposed to live without you?” her mother asked.

Furrer’s brother, Eric, revealed he kissed her forehead 10 times in a Swiss hospital before her passing.

The memorial was attended by teammates, friends, including the mother of Mäder, another young Swiss cyclist who tragically died during the 2023 Tour de Suisse.

The UCI has limited its pubic comments on the case since the days following the incident that cast a pall on the otherwise successful Zürich worlds.