Swiss junior cyclist Muriel Furrer has tragically passed away after sustaining a serious head injury during the world championships in Switzerland. The 18-year-old crashed during Thursday’s junior road race in Zurich, which took place under torrential rain. Emergency services airlifted her to the hospital, but she sadly succumbed to her injuries.

Swiss Cycling shared their grief on X, stating, “Our hearts are broken… We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face.” The cycling community expressed immense sorrow and shock over the loss.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, the championships will proceed as planned. However, adjustments have been made to Friday’s medal ceremony, including a moment of silence, with no music or national anthems. A tribute featuring Furrer’s photo will also be shown.

Furrer’s death brings renewed attention to road cycling safety, following recent concerns raised within the sport. In 2023, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) launched the SafeR campaign to assess and mitigate risks at cycling events.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Arsenal after a collision with Thomas Partey.

City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri underwent surgery for both the ACL and a meniscus issue, stating, “This season is over for him. Next season, he will be back.”

Rodri has been a crucial part of City’s success, particularly during last season’s title race, where his presence was pivotal in securing the club’s fourth consecutive league title. His absence was felt last season when he missed five games, four of which City lost.

Guardiola expressed the challenge of replacing Rodri, calling him “irreplaceable,” but emphasized that the team would need to work together to fill the void: “The others can all together replace what Rodri has given since his arrival.”

City will assess their options and may consider signing a new midfielder during the January transfer window. Meanwhile, they will also be without Kevin de Bruyne for their upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle United.

Rodri’s absence presents a significant challenge for City, as they look to navigate the remainder of the season without one of their key players.

British tennis player Jack Draper has secured a spot in the Japan Open last 16 after defeating Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in straight sets. Draper, ranked world number 20, claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory, marking his first win since his US Open semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner earlier this month.

The 22-year-old’s triumph in Tokyo comes as a welcome return to form following a challenging Davis Cup in Manchester, where he lost both of his singles matches to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, contributing to Great Britain’s failure to reach the knockout stages.

After a tightly contested first set against world number 103 Bellucci, Draper dominated the second set, building a 5-1 lead before closing out the match. He will face Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round on Friday.