The NSN Development Team withdrew from the Tour of Portugal on Saturday, the day after British rider Finlay Tarling died following a head-on collision with a vehicle during the race’s eighth stage.
Tarling, 19, the younger brother of Ineos rider Josh Tarling, was killed on Friday when he collided with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction that was not connected to the event during the stage between Melgaço and Fafe.
“Following Fin Tarling’s tragic passing, the NSN Development Team has withdrawn from the remaining Volta a Portugal stages,” NSN said in a statement on Saturday. “With the full support of Fin’s parents, the World Tour team will race on at Czech Tour and the Arctic Race of Norway. We will continue to hold Fin in our hearts as we race in his honour, doing what he loved most.”
Friday’s stage was suspended with approximately 20 kilometres remaining, and the podium ceremony was cancelled as a “sign of respect and mourning”.
Race resumes in mourning
The race resumed on Saturday with leader Alex Guerin wearing a black jersey and riders wearing black armbands on the penultimate stage. Before the symbolic start, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Tarling.
“The ninth stage of the Volta a Portugal set off in an atmosphere of mourning,” organisers said on social media, adding that sponsors had cancelled planned activities this weekend out of respect. “The race continues. There will be a sporting competition but not a party. This Saturday, the Tour cycles for Finlay.”
Investigation into crash circumstances
A spokesman for Portugal’s National Republican Guard, Carlos Canatario, revealed on Saturday they were investigating signage in the area and whether any was potentially removed.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to place a guard officer at all those access points, along all those kilometres, in other words, that is humanly impossible,” Canatario told public television channel RTP.
He clarified the circumstances of the collision: “The vehicle was not on the wrong side of the road, it was in the right-hand lane… going in the opposite direction to the race. The cyclist cut across, as is natural, as cyclists do, he cut the corner using the lane further to the left and that was what caused the cyclist and the vehicle to collide.”
Tributes pour in
British Cycling described themselves as “heartbroken”, calling Tarling “a hugely talented rider with a bright future ahead, a loyal teammate, and a brilliant young man”.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed condolences to Tarling’s family and team, saying news of his death “leaves us deeply shaken”.
The NSN Development Team, co-owned by former Barcelona football star Andres Iniesta, confirmed Tarling 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.”
