Finlay Tarling has died following a serious accident during stage 8 of the Volta a Portugal, race organisers confirmed on Friday.
The 19-year-old British rider, who competed for NSN Development Team, was involved in the incident during the stage from Melgaço to Fafe. Organisers neutralised the race with 23km remaining, after the peloton had already continued beyond the scene.
The official circumstances of the accident have not been fully confirmed by race organisers. They announced that a rider had died after an incident while off the back of the peloton.
Finlay Tarling remembered by team after stage 8 tragedy
In an official communiqué, the Volta a Portugal organisation said it “deeply regret” the death of Tarling. The statement said the accident occurred during the eighth stage of the race.
The organisers and the Portuguese Cycling Federation offered condolences to Tarling’s family, teammates, team staff, friends, and loved ones.
They also confirmed the stage would remain neutralised to the finish in Fafe. The planned podium ceremony did not take place as a mark of respect and mourning.
NSN Development Team later confirmed the death of a rider they described as “much loved”. The team said Tarling was not only a teammate, but also a son, brother, and friend.
The team offered condolences to Tarling’s parents, Michael and Dawn, and to his brother Josh. Josh Tarling rides for Netcompany Ineos and is one of Britain’s most prominent young professionals.
The squad’s riders came together on the road after the news was confirmed. NSN riders rode as a group while the peloton completed the neutralised run to Fafe.
Reported collision occurred earlier in the stage
Portuguese broadcaster RTP reported that local authorities said Tarling died after being struck by a driver not affiliated with the race.
According to that report, emergency services received a call at 3:40 p.m. about a collision involving a car and cyclist. At that time, the race would have been around kilometre 90 of the 166.8km stage.
The reported location was near the intermediate sprint at Ponte de Lima. Tarling received medical attention immediately after the crash, but died soon afterward.
The race continued for roughly another 50 kilometres before officials neutralised the stage. The peloton then rode to the finish without contesting the remainder of the day.
Stage 8 had been scheduled as a road stage between Melgaço and Fafe. Instead, it ended under neutralised conditions following one of the most serious incidents in the race’s history.
Organisers said they would provide further information when circumstances allow. No additional official detail has been released about the precise nature of the incident.
The death of Finlay Tarling brought the Volta a Portugal to a standstill and left the race community in mourning. Riders, teams, officials, and supporters now await further clarification from the authorities and organisers.
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