Over a thousand people take part in memorial ride for deceased cyclist
Published: Sunday, Sep 29th 2024, 11:00
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According to the organizers in Zurich, around 1500 people took part in a memorial ride on Sunday for World Cycling Championship participant Muriel Furrer, who died after an accident. A public race had previously been canceled and replaced by the "Memorial Ride".
The many people on their bikes gathered at the finish arch of the Zurich World Cycling Championships on Sechseläutenplatz at around 07:00, as a video journalist from the Keystone-SDA news agency reported. The mood was sombre. Some riders hugged each other before the start, some had tears in their eyes.
Among those present were David Lappartient, President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), as well as Swiss professional riders.
"The cycling world mourns the loss of Muriel Furrer," read a projection in the start area. "Rest in peace." The 18-year-old from the canton of Zurich died on Friday as a result of an accident in the U-19 World Championship race the day before.
After a minute's silence, the participants set off along the World Cup route, initially through the city center. They rolled almost silently along the road. At times, all you could hear was the clicking of the pedals.
Past the scene of the accident
The parade also passed the spot where the serious accident occurred in the forest above Küsnacht on Thursday for unknown reasons. Furrer had fallen and suffered serious head injuries. She was flown by helicopter to hospital in a critical condition, where she died the following day. The circumstances of the accident were still unclear on Sunday.
A central place of mourning was set up at the Wasserkirche in Zurich. Flowers, flags, candles and a photo of Muriel Furrer were laid out there.
A public race had actually been planned for Sunday, in which amateur riders would have competed on the professional course. Instead, those responsible organized the memorial ride in consultation with Furrer's family, among others.
©Keystone/SDA
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