A union representing cyclists has called for better helmets following the tragic death of British rider Finlay Tarling.
The 19-year-old Welsh rider, who had raced for Great Britain on the road and track, died during the Volta a Portugal on Friday.
Tarling was on the eighth stage of the race when the incident occurred on a 166.8km route to Fafe, in the north of the country.
Portugal’s National Republican Guard have launched an investigation into a ‘collision between the cyclist and a light goods vehicle’.
The cyclists union, the Cyclistes Professionnels Associes (CPA), declared their anger in a statement on social media.
‘We are speechless and filled with anger after the news of Finlay Tarling’s death at the Tour of Portugal,’ the statement read.
Finlay Tarling, 19, tragically died on Friday following a crash at the Tour of Portugal
‘It is not right that a young athlete’s life should end this way, and we are furious that even today it is still not possible to prevent such serious accidents.
‘We share in the grief of his family, friends, team, and everyone who knew Finlay.
‘Rest in peace, young rider; we pray for you, and we will carry you in our hearts.’
CPA president Adam Hansen, who had a lengthy professional career on the road, told the BBC that the quality of helmets used in the sport needs to improve as the average speed of racing continues to increase.
‘They need a major upgrade,’ Hansen said.
‘Bike helmets only need to meet standard testing like all helmets, EU standard CE EN 1078 is only rated for 19.5km/h and I do not believe this is enough for road racing.’
Hansen also acknowledged the challenge faced by organisers in policing long races, which can see riders split off from the main peloton.
‘The organisation is [generally] very good, but what happened [on Friday] is a bit of a hole in the system,’ added Hansen.
Tarling looked to be following in the footsteps of his older brother Josh – who made his Olympic debut at Paris 2024 – as a time trial specialist
‘When the breakaway or the main group goes past, sometimes the drivers [from the general public] think that’s the whole race. But in fact there are riders behind and on some mountain stages the difference can be 45 minutes.
‘If people do not know racing, then they just naturally think the race has past and go onto the course, where in fact there can be many groups.’
Carlos Canatario, a lieutenant in Portugal’s National Republican Guard, told RTP via A Bola that Tarling had been distanced from the peloton when the incident occurred.
‘It’s necessary to understand this difficulty, throughout the entire race, the mobile security detail has to be systematically adapting because the peloton’s configuration keeps changing,’ Canatario said.
‘What happened was that three cyclists began to break away from the peloton at spaced intervals, and the security detail was deploying to, as they advanced, catch up with each of the cyclists.
‘Finlay Tarling was riding alongside his team’s support vehicle, but as he began a descent, he gained speed and distanced himself.
‘It was a combination of several factors that led to this outcome.’
Canatario also insisted the driver of the vehicle had been driving on the correct side of the road, contrary to initial reports.
‘The vehicle was not going the wrong way. It was in the right lane, in its proper lane. It was going in the opposite direction to the direction of the race.
He stated that the collision occurred because ‘the cyclist cut across the curve – as is natural, as cyclists do – in the leftmost lane.’
Canatario add that the driver is not expected to face criminal charges, although an investigation continues.
Tributes were paid to Tarling ahead of the ninth stage of the race on Saturday
Tarling’s NSN Cycling Team pulled out of the Tour of Portugal following the tragedy
According to Portuguese media, Tarling was given immediate medical attention but died shortly after the crash. The race was neutralised about 20km from the finish line.
Tarling’s team NSN said in a statement: ‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today.
‘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.
‘Our deepest condolences go out to Fin’s parents, Michael and Dawn, his brother Josh, and everyone who was lucky enough to call Fin a friend.’
Tarling’s older brother Josh is a world champion cyclist on the track and a stage winner at last year’s Giro d’Italia. Josh made his Olympic debut at Paris 2024, where he came fourth in the men’s time trial.
A statement from world governing body the UCI read: ‘The UCI is deeply saddened by the tragic death of British rider Finlay Tarling, who passed away following a serious accident during today’s eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.
‘The UCI extends its deepest condolences to Finlay’s family, friends and team-mates.’
