Uncertainties, many questions unanswered
Did deceased Furrer lie undiscovered in the undergrowth for a long time?
September 28, 2024, 8:50 a.m
The cycling world is in shock after the death of 18-year-old Swiss rider Muriel Furrer. However, there are still many unanswered questions about the accident at the World Cycling Championships. Was the rescue helicopter only deployed an hour after the end of the race and did the peloton even drive past the victim?
Despite the death of Muriel Furrer, the World Cycling Championships in Zurich continue this Saturday with the women’s road race. One day later, the climax of the title fights is on the program with the men’s race. Not all of the facts that led to the fall of the 18-year-old Swiss woman are known. Authorities and associations are closed.
The “Basler Zeitung” reports “questions regarding the safety of the route” and “a lot of unsecured information”. According to this, Furrer could have been lying undetected in the undergrowth for a long time after her fall and the field of riders could have even passed her on the second lap. “It is clear that there is no split time registered for the Swiss woman in the race log. This suggests that Muriel Furrer never crossed the finish line at Sechseläutenplatz to complete the final lap on the City Circuit. This in turn could mean that she crashed is when the peloton passed the forest for the first time,” writes the newspaper.
Muriel Furrer was considered one of the greatest Swiss cycling talents. She was successful with the road bike as well as the cross bike and the mountain bike. She completed training at the United School of Sports vocational school. Before the World Cup, Furrer said: “First and foremost, I’m really looking forward to the World Cup – even more so because it’s a home World Cup. I’m also an ambassador for the World Cup.”
Rescue helicopter only an hour after the end of the race?
The information about how the accident happened is still scant. Furrer fell in a forest on a descent, probably in a left-hand bend. She lived just ten kilometers from where the accident occurred. The organizers do not answer questions about the exact location and time and refer them to the Zurich cantonal police. This in turn refers you to the public prosecutor’s office. The air rescue service confirmed an operation in the municipality of Küsnacht on the Zurich city limits. For further details, she refers you to the cantonal police.
It is completely unclear how quickly Furrer was able to receive medical care after her fall. The newspaper “Blick” refers to eyewitnesses who reported that a rescue helicopter was only deployed an hour after the end of the race. Furrer could actually have been easily located using the transponder on the bike. The world association UCI is cautious on the subject of transponders. Its investigation is part of the ongoing investigations on which one cannot comment.
Because of Furrer’s death, the route at the World Cup has not changed. The 27 kilometer long lap with start and finish on Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich remains the same. However, more stewards were deployed in the forest, and the descent was secured with mats on some trees. A large banner informs drivers of the left turn.
