Following the tragic death of the talented Welsh cyclist Finlay Tarling, the Tour of Portugal will continue “without any celebrations”. As the organisers have announced, following a memorial service on Saturday, the race will go ahead as planned over the final two days without any additional supporting programme. “There will be sporting competition, but no celebrations,” they said.
Tarling, aged 19, died on Saturday as a result of a serious accident. According to media reports, the Welshman was struck by a vehicle not involved in the race during the eighth stage from Melgaco to Fafe. The vehicle is said to have been travelling in the opposite direction to the peloton on the route. This has not yet been confirmed by the organisers.
“This is not the time for speculation about the circumstances of the accident. The incident is being investigated by the GNR (note: National Guard), which is responsible for conducting a thorough investigation into the matter,” said the organiser.
Older brother competes in the WorldTour
Tarling rode for the NSN Development team and comes from a family of cyclists. His older brother, Joshua Tarling (22), rides for the WorldTour team Ineos Grenadiers and, among other achievements, won bronze in the individual time trial at the 2023 World Cycling Championships.
“We are deeply shocked. Cycling is a sport that involves risks, but one is never prepared for a tragedy of this magnitude. Finlay has lost his life. A family has lost their son. A team has lost a team-mate. The cycling community has lost one of its own,” wrote the organisers: “It is a tragedy that goes far beyond sporting competition.”
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