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Stage 8 death in Portugal
British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, died after a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal, with the incident occurring on the 166.8km route from Melgaco to Fafe.
“a collision between the cyclist and a light goods vehicle”
The BBC reported that Major Tiago Machado of the National Republican Guard said there had been "a collision between the cyclist and a light goods vehicle" and that an investigation was under way.
Race organisers said the 87th Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta Jogos Santa Casa deeply regretted informing of Tarling’s death following a serious accident during the eighth stage.
The BBC said the incident happened when Tarling was competing for the NSN Development Team, and Cyclingnews said the stage was neutralised with 23km remaining after the death of a rider was confirmed.
The BBC also reported that the race organisers and the Portuguese Cycling Federation expressed "most heartfelt condolences" and stopped racing, with the scheduled podium ceremony not taking place as a sign of respect and mourning.
Condolences and competing accounts
In a statement, NSN said: "We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today," adding that Fin was "a much loved member of our team" and would be deeply missed.
The BBC reported that Portuguese president Antonio Jose Seguro said Tarling's death had "plunged the peloton, the tournament and the host nation into mourning," while the UCI said on X that it was "deeply saddened" by the tragic death of the British rider.
Cadena SER said the race organisers announced Tarling’s death after "a serious accident" during the eighth stage, and it described an account in which "a car invaded the race in the opposite direction" and struck Tarling with just over 20 kilometers left.
Cyclingnews said the nature of the incident had not been officially confirmed, but it cited a call of a collision involving a car and cyclist at 3:40 p.m. near the intermediate sprint at Ponte de Lima.
The Telegraph reported Portuguese police saying "A light goods vehicle was travelling on the road in the opposite direction to the race" and that the cyclist collided with it, resulting in the tragic incident.
Race neutralised, investigation ahead
After Tarling’s death during stage 8, the Volta a Portugal was neutralised until reaching Fafe, and the podium ceremony scheduled for that day was not held "as a sign of respect and mourning" according to the race organisers.
“as a sign of respect and mourning”
The BBC said the race was stopped and the scheduled podium ceremony would not take place, while Cyclingnews reported that the organisers would provide further information as soon as circumstances allow.
Sky Sports said the eighth stage was stopped following the incident "as a sign of respect and mourning," and it reported that Tarling was hit by a non-race car driving in the opposite direction.
The BBC reported that Major Tiago Machado said there was "a collision between the cyclist and a light goods vehicle" and that an investigation was under way, while EL PAÍS said the case was under investigation and Tarling’s body was at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Viana do Castelo.
In the aftermath, the BBC said the Volta a Portugal got under way in Lisbon on 5 August and is raced over 10 stages, concluding in Porto on 16 August, with Tarling’s death casting a shadow over the remaining competition.
