Prime sports

Muriel Furrer was not just a rising star in the cycling community, but a symbol of perseverance and dedication. Her death during the championships left many stunned. Initial reports point to inadequate medical response times and poor safety protocols, which immediately placed the UCI under intense scrutiny. While the cycling world mourned, the questions surrounding her death pointed to a larger issue within the sport’s global leadership.

Furrer’s tragic accident was not an isolated incident but rather the latest in a string of accidents that have occurred under the UCI’s watch. Critics, including fellow riders, have long voiced concerns about the safety measures (or lack thereof) implemented by the UCI. However, what unfolded in the wake of Furrer’s death revealed much more—a governing body more concerned with power and control than the well-being of its athletes.

The term “mafia” may seem harsh at first glance, but when examining the UCI’s actions, it becomes disturbingly appropriate. Many riders and teams describe the UCI as an organization that holds an iron grip over the sport, often silencing dissent through intimidation and coercion. The UCI’s decision-making process is notoriously opaque, and athletes who dare to speak out against the organization frequently face backlash, whether through unexplained suspensions, arbitrary penalties, or being blacklisted from key events.

In recent years, various cycling teams and individual riders have accused the UCI of manipulating outcomes to suit their interests, often through favoritism or backdoor dealings with sponsors. The question of how transparent UCI operations are has long been a contentious issue, but Furrer’s death has forced a spotlight on the organization’s practices like never before.

Several reports suggest that the UCI was warned multiple times about potential safety hazards at the event where Furrer tragically lost her life. This has led to accusations that the organization put commercial interests ahead of rider safety. With lucrative sponsorship deals at stake, the UCI has been accused of turning a blind eye to the very safety protocols it claims to uphold.

In the aftermath of Furrer’s death, many riders demanded accountability, only to be met with silence or vague promises of “internal reviews.” This has done little to alleviate concerns, as the UCI’s history of investigating itself has been criticized as an exercise in damage control rather than an honest effort to improve the sport. The lack of transparency has fueled a growing belief that the UCI is primarily focused on protecting its image and financial interests rather than safeguarding its athletes.

Prominent figures in the cycling world have begun to speak out more forcefully, frustrated by years of silence. Riders have described the UCI’s internal culture as one that punishes those who question authority while rewarding loyalty to its leadership. Athletes who once remained silent for fear of retribution are now finding their voice, united by a shared grief for Furrer and a desire for change.

Multiple athletes have now come forward, stating that they were warned to “stay in line” or risk being sidelined from future events. Such statements only reinforce the growing narrative that the UCI is more concerned with maintaining its grip on power than with addressing the real issues facing the sport.

The UCI’s response to Furrer’s death has only amplified the demand for sweeping reforms. Safety advocates are calling for independent investigations into the incident, as well as a broader review of the UCI’s policies and practices. Many believe that unless significant changes are made, the UCI will continue to put riders’ lives at risk in the pursuit of profit and power.

However, change within such a deeply entrenched organization will not come easily. The UCI has shown time and again that it is resistant to outside interference, particularly from groups that challenge its authority. If there is to be any real progress, it will require collective action from athletes, teams, and sponsors alike.

The death of Muriel Furrer is a tragedy that should never have happened, and her passing has exposed the darker side of the sport she loved. If the UCI continues to act as a self-serving “mafia,” cycling’s future is in jeopardy. This moment presents a pivotal opportunity for athletes and stakeholders to demand a more transparent, accountable, and rider-centric approach to governance. The cycling world owes it to Muriel Furrer, and every rider who risks their life for the sport, to push for that change.

For now, the memory of a fallen athlete will hang over the UCI, a stark reminder that without reform, the organization’s negligence could cost more lives. The sport of cycling deserves better, and so do its athletes.