Muriel Furrer's death at the World Cycling Championships: “It hit me in the head, honestly”, Julian Alaphilippe says he is “very touched”

The French rider said he was touched by the tragedy. MAXPPP – DIRK WAEM

The death of the young Swiss cyclist, Muriel Furrer, during the World Cycling Championships in Zurich, “really touched” Julian Alaphilippe who was “devastated” when he heard the news on Friday, September 27.

“It hit me in the head, honestly. It reminds us how cycling is a beautiful but cruel and dangerous sport”, said the Frenchman, double world champion in 2020 and 2021.

“You can't imagine being in your parents' shoes, especially at their home, it really touched me. It is important to me to just send my condolences and to think of her and her family", he added.

Read also: Cycling World Championships: 18-year-old Swiss rider who fell has died

"It hurts your face"

Muriel Furrer, 18, was airlifted to hospital with “serious head trauma” after a heavy fall in the junior race on Thursday. She died in hospital on Friday.

“Sports are back, we're racing on Sunday and we'll think of her and her family, but it hurts”, Alaphilippe, who will be one of the leaders of the French team in the road race on Sunday, stressed.