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Tarling dies on Stage 8
British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, died after a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal on Friday, on the 166.8km route between Melgaço and Fafe.
“The tragedy occurred on Friday during the 166.8km route between Melgaco and Fafe.”
The race was neutralised through to the finish in Fafe and the planned podium ceremony was cancelled as a mark of respect and mourning, after organisers described the incident as a "serious accident" without elaborating on the precise circumstances.
Portuguese broadcaster RTP reported that Tarling was struck by a vehicle that was not part of the race convoy and was travelling in the opposite direction, while the race organisation itself said the incident occurred during stage eight.
Cycling Weekly said the news was confirmed by Tarling’s team and the race organisers, and it quoted the NSN Development Team statement announcing: "We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today."
Condolences and differing details
In a statement, the Volta a Portugal and the Portuguese Cycling Federation expressed their deepest condolences to Finlay Tarling’s family, teammates and NSN Development Team, and said the race would be neutralised until the arrival in Fafe with the podium ceremony scheduled for today not taking place.
NSN Development Team said: "Fin was a much loved member of our team but most importantly, he was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many. He will be deeply missed," and it added condolences to his parents Michael and Dawn and his brother Josh.
Sky Sports reported that Portuguese RTP said Tarling was hit by a non-race car driving in the opposite direction, while the Telegraph said Portuguese police stated: "A light goods vehicle was travelling on the road in the opposite direction to the race, and the cyclist collided with it."
The Telegraph also said the crash happened around 3.40pm on the N306 road between Paredes de Coura and Ponte de Lima in Arcozelo, and it reported that Tarling suffered cardiorespiratory arrest but could not be revived despite the rapid response of nine firefighters and five vehicles alongside the emergency medical team.
What happens next
Organisers said the Volta a Portugal would be neutralised until reaching Fafe and that the podium ceremony scheduled for today would not take place, while they pledged that further details would be released when circumstances allowed.
“"The organisation of the 87th Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta Jogos Santa Casa deeply regrets to announce the passing of British cyclist Finlay Tarling"”
The Independent reported that Tarling had signed a two-year deal ahead of the 2025 season with NSN, and it said race organisers confirmed the death on the 166.8km route from Melgaco to Fafe.
Stephen Park CBE, performance director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, said: "All of us at British Cycling are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal," and he added that Fin was a talented rider with a fantastic future ahead of him.
The Telegraph said Portuguese President Antonio Jose Seguro told of his condolences, remarking that Tarling’s death had "plunged the peloton, the tournament and the host nation into mourning," as the race continued with the peloton neutralised after Tarling’s death.
