"I suddenly saw a colorful red uniform" - The man who found Muriel Furrer after life-ending crash explains how this happened

One year ago tragedy struck pro cycling once again and in the biggest stage of all. In the junior women's road race in Zurich, home rider Muriel Furrer suffered a crash and later passed away due to her injuries. The Swiss rider lost her life after crashing off-road, and one year later the person that discovered her in the wooded area has shared his story.

On the 26th September Furrer was competing in the junior event and was riding behind the peloton where on the wet roads of the circuit, she crashed in a corner and slid off-road. It was a very impactful crash but the situation became more severe from the lack of medical assistance for about one hour or potentially even more time, because no-one had seen or warned about her crash, and her absence was only noticed at the finish line when it was noticed that she hadn't gone through the finish. The lack of race radios at the worlds, something unthinkable in a regular road race, may have also contributed to this outcome.

She was later found in a wooded area and after a long wait transported by helicopter to a hospital in Zurich but later passed away from a brain injury. The lack of a GPS transponder, which would've helped locating her, was severely criticized and it something that is not missing on the bikes at this year's World Championships. In words to Blick, the person who found Furrer - who worked as staff for the race to ensure spectators wouldn't get on the road - explains how this happened, albeit remaining anonymous.

"When the riders passed, I was standing on the side of the road. You always have to be very careful then. But I certainly didn't see anything that worried me. I kept looking towards the forest, hoping to spot wildlife. Until I suddenly saw a colorful red uniform," he explained.

"It stood out against the green-brown background. I immediately reported it on the radio. After that, everything was set in motion." Furrer was then carried to the hospital but the damage had been done and the sport was forced to mourn one of its youngest riders in an incredibly tragic set of circumstances.

"That day, and the weeks that followed, were definitely not easy. But unfortunately, they are also part of the job I chose. I did the right thing, and that also helps me process this tragedy."