The departed Furrer remained unnoticed in the vegetation for an extended period.
The cycling community is grappling with the unexpected demise of 18-year-old Swiss rider Muriel Furrer during the World Championships. However, there are numerous unanswered doubts concerning the incident at the competition. Reports suggest that the rescue helicopter arrived an hour after the race concluded, and the peloton might have passed the fallen cyclist during their second lap.
The championships in Zurich proceeded with the women's road race on Saturday, followed by the men's event the next day. Regrettably, significant details about the crash that led to Furrer's death remain elusive. Authorities maintain a rigid silence, resulting in public curiosity and speculation.
According to "Basler Zeitung," there are concerns about the safety of the course and numerous unverified information. Reportedly, Furrer lay undiscovered in the undergrowth for an extended period after her crash, and the cyclists potentially rode past her during the second lap. The newspaper also implies that Furrer had not crossed the finish line at Sechselautenplatz, thus completing the final city circuit lap.
Muriel Furrer was one of Switzerland's rising cycling stars, excelling in road, cyclocross, and mountain biking. She honed her skills at the United School of Sports. Prior to the World Championships, Furrer expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, "Apart from looking forward to the World Championships, particularly because it's happening in Switzerland, I'm also an ambassador for the event."
Delay in the rescue operation?
Information pertaining to the accident remains limited. Furrer suffered her crash in a forest section during a descent, presumably in a left-hand turn. Notably, she resided only ten kilometers from the accident site. The event organizers decline to disclose the accurate location and time of the accident, directing inquiries to the Zurich cantonal police. In turn, the police refer questions to the public prosecutor's office. The rescue service affirmed a deployment in Kusnacht, a municipality bordering Zurich city, but refused to provide further details, suggesting contact with the cantonal police.
The duration of time between Furrer's crash and the provision of medical assistance remains uncertain. Eyewitnesses suggest that a rescue helicopter was deployed only an hour after the race concluded. Furrer's cycling equipment should have allowed rapid location through a transponder device. However, the UCI, the sport's worldwide governing body, remains reserved on the subject. UCI's investigations are part of the ongoing probe, and they are unable to issue statements.
Having said that, the World Championships course has not been altered following Furrer's death. The 27-kilometer lap, including the commencement and conclusion at Sechselautenplatz in Zurich, remains untouched. Nevertheless, additional stewards have been assigned to supervise the forest section, and the descent has been secured with protective mats at specific trees. A large banner warns cyclists about the left-hand turn.
Despite the tragic incident involving Muriel Furrer, the cycling community continued to participate in the World Championships, with the men's event following the women's race. However, there are growing concerns about the delay in the rescue operation after Furrer's crash during the women's road race. Reports suggest that the rescue helicopter arrived an hour after the race ended, raising questions about whether the peloton passed Furrer during their second lap.
