Cycling safety under scrutiny after Finlay Tarling dies in Portugal race
The riders’ union and former professionals called for stronger race protections after 19-year-old Finlay Tarling died in a collision with a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal.
In short
- The riders’ union and former professionals called for stronger race protections after 19-year-old Finlay Tarling died in a collision with a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal.
Cycling’s international riders’ union has demanded stronger safety protections after British rider Finlay Tarling died during the Volta a Portugal, intensifying scrutiny of how traffic is controlled at professional races.
Tarling, 19, died after colliding with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction during the eighth stage on Friday, August 14. Portuguese police are investigating the circumstances.
The Cyclistes Professionnels Associés said it was angry that such a fatal accident had not been prevented. Former French professional Jérôme Pineau also criticised security arrangements and called for stricter approval standards when organisers cannot guarantee safe conditions.
Unlike major tours that use full road closures, the Volta a Portugal operates a moving traffic restriction around the race convoy. Police said Tarling was descending behind sections of the peloton but ahead of the vehicle marking the rear of the protected convoy. A motorist who had been waiting at the roadside then entered the course before that rear vehicle passed, according to the preliminary account.
Tarling’s NSN Development team withdrew from the race on Saturday. Organisers continued the event, with riders observing a minute’s silence, wearing black armbands and changing the leader’s jersey from yellow to black for the ninth stage.
The case has renewed debate about the cost and enforcement of road closures as racing speeds rise. Both the race organiser and cycling’s governing body, the UCI, were approached for comment by The Guardian.
