Tarling died during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal, prompting organisers to suspend the stage and cancel the podium ceremony.
Tarling died during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal after a collision with a vehicle, prompting organisers to suspend the race and cancel the podium ceremony.
Lisbon: British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, died on Friday after a serious crash during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal, race organisers and his NSN Development Team confirmed.
The accident occurred during the stage between Melgaço and Fafe. According to Portuguese broadcaster RTP, which was covering the race, Tarling was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. The vehicle was not connected to the event.
The stage was suspended with around 20 kilometres remaining following the crash.
Organisers later cancelled the podium ceremony as a mark of respect for the young cyclist.
Team pays tribute to Tarling
The NSN Development Team confirmed Tarling’s death in a statement and offered condolences to his parents and his brother, Josh Tarling, who rides for the Netcompany-Ineos team.
“Fin was a much-loved member of our team, but most importantly, he was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many,” the team said. “He will be deeply missed.”
Tarling was regarded as a promising young cyclist and was competing as part of the NSN Development Team, which is co-owned by former Barcelona footballer Andrés Iniesta.
Race suspended after fatal crash
The accident brought the eighth stage to an immediate halt as emergency services responded at the scene.
The Volta a Portugal organisers expressed their condolences to Tarling’s family, teammates and friends, and said the decision to suspend the stage and cancel the podium ceremony was made out of mourning.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also paid tribute to the cyclist, saying his death had left the country deeply shaken.
Tarling’s death has cast a shadow over one of Portugal’s major cycling events, with tributes expected from the cycling community in the days ahead.
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