Cycling community ‘filled with anger’ over rising star’s death
The international cyclists’ union has condemned current road racing safety standards after the death of British cyclist Finlay Tarling during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal race.
Tarling, 19, was a Welsh time trial specialist who had joined the NSN Development Team last year and was killed in a front-on collision with a non-race vehicle.
Finlay Tarling and his parents in 2025. Huw Fairclough/Getty Images.
According to Portugal’s RTP broadcaster, the light goods vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction on the course and collided with Tarling.
The cyclists’ union - Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) - expressed their devastation and anger over the lack of adequate safety precautions necessary to protect the young rider’s life, CPA president Adam Hansen telling BBC Sport the community was “furious”.
“We are speechless and filled with anger,” the CPA wrote on social media.
“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.”
Hansen pointed to inadequacies in current helmet testing standards as a “hole in the system”.
While modern road cyclists routinely average speeds of 50 km/h on cycling tours, the European standard for cycling helmets falls drastically short of this reality.
“One thing we have to look at is helmets,” Hansen explained.
“They need a major upgrade. 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.
“The organisation is [generally] very good, but what happened is a bit of a hole in the system.”
Hansen also highlighted a flaw in how road closures are managed after the main peloton passes.
Tarling was reportedly minutes behind the main peloton, either working with a service car or recovering from a breakaway effort when the accident occurred.
“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,” Hansen added.
“If people do not know racing, then they just naturally think the race has passed and go on to the course, where in fact there can be many groups.
“To close every single road and driveway is difficult and it gets to the point how little risk the organisers want to take and if it’s even possible for them to have people at all those points.”
Finlay Tarling’s death has “plunged” the community into mourning. NSN Cycling
The cycling world was quick to pay tribute to the rising Welsh star when the news of his death broke.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today,” NSN Development Team announced.
“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.”
Portuguese President Antonio Jose Seguro expressed his condolences, saying Tarling’s death had “plunged the peloton, the tournament and the host nation into mourning”.
Race officials also “neutralised” the race and expressed their condolences in a statement.
“The organisation of the Volta a Portugal and the Portuguese Cycling Federation express their most heartfelt condolences to the family of Finlay Tarling, to his teammates, to the NSN Development Team, and to all his friends and loved ones,” the official statement said.
“In light of this tragic event, the race will be neutralised until reaching Fafe and, as a sign of respect and mourning, the podium ceremony scheduled for today will not take place.”