The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has officially retired race number 84 from the UCI Road World Championships, specifically in the women’s junior category, in honour of Swiss teenager Muriel Furrer who tragically died during 2024 edition in Zurich, Switzerland, after sustaining head injuries in a crash. The announcement was made on Friday, September 26, on the eve of the women’s junior road race in Kigali. “The death of Muriel Furrer, a promising young rider with a bright future ahead of her, during our UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships last year cast a shadow of mourning over the event and the entire cycling community,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “One year later to the day, our thoughts are still with her, her loved ones, and her federation, Swiss Cycling. To pay tribute to Muriel, the UCI has decided that the race number she wore during the event will no longer be assigned in the women’s junior road race at the UCI World Championships.” ALSO READ: UCI to launch GPS rider safety tracking at Kigali race In the wake of the tragedy, the UCI has also introduced a groundbreaking GPS rider safety tracking system, developed in partnership with SafeR. This technology allows real-time monitoring of rider position and speed, enabling officials to detect unusual situations such as sudden stops. In such cases, the rider’s exact location is instantly relayed to race organizers, UCI Commissaires, medical teams, and security services to ensure a rapid response. This year’s women’s junior race features 72 riders from 34 countries, covering a distance of 74 km, starting and finishing at the Kigali Convention Center (KCC).
