Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer is in a 'very critical' condition after suffering a head injury in a crash at the UCI Road World Championships. The teenager was taking part in the women’s junior road race in Zurich when the incident took place.

Furrer was airlifted to hospital almost immediately by an emergency helicopter, but it is not yet clear why she crashed. Torrential rain has been falling across the course throughout this week, including on Thursday when the 18-year-old fell off her bike.

A joint statement from UCI, Swiss Cycling and the event's organising committee read: "Swiss rider Muriel Furrer fell heavily today, for reasons still to be determined. She suffered a serious head injury and is in a very critical condition.

"Extremely concerned by the situation, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Swiss Cycling and the Zurich 2024 Local Organising Committee are closely monitoring developments and will communicate as soon as possible.

"At present, there are no established facts regarding how the accident happened. Investigations by the authorities are ongoing. For this reason, no further information can be given until further notice."

It comes in the midst of a push to improve safety standards in cycling after several major crashes over the last 12 months. Last year, fellow Swiss cyclist Gino Mader was killed in a high-speed fall while descending at the Tour de Suisse.

In April, three riders were seriously injured in a crash at the Itzulia Basque Country race. Jonas Vingegaard, who won the Tour de France last year, suffered a broken collarbone and three broken ribs while Remco Evenepoel and Jay Vine also sustained fractures.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of the Ineos Grenadiers, wrote a letter to UCI earlier this year calling for 'real change' when it comes to protecting cyclists from injury.

He wrote: "Governing bodies have made very few changes and serious accidents are a common occurrence.

"In Formula One, when Ayrton Senna had his fatal crash 30 years ago in Italy, the governing body set out to transform the safety regulations of one of the world's most dangerous sports and significantly reduced injuries as a result.

"This contrasts starkly with cycling. As recently as last week, we had yet another horrific crash involving three of the world's top cyclists."

At the time, UCI said in a statement that 'too many accidents have occurred' and 'concern for safety is shared by all road cycling's stakeholders'.