Young British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, was killed on Friday August 14 in an accident during the eighth stage of the Tour of Portugal, the race organization announced.
“The organizers of the 87th Tour of Portugal deeply regret to announce the death of British rider Finlay Tarling, of the NSN Development Team, following a serious accident during the 8th stage of the race,” she wrote in a press release published on X.
The precise circumstances of the accident have not been officially detailed, but according to public television RTP, the young rider, who was a little behind the peloton, was hit by a car traveling in the opposite direction.
The younger brother of Joshua Tarling, from the Netcompany-Ineos team, was quickly treated by emergency services but ultimately succumbed to his injuries, adds RTP.
Faced with this tragedy, the race was suspended approximately 20 kilometers from the finish of the stage which went from Melgaço to Fafe (northern Portugal) and the protocol ceremonies canceled, “as a sign of respect and mourning”, specify the organizers.
Portuguese President Antonio José Seguro, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and the NSN Development team immediately responded to send their condolences to the family and the entire cycling community.
“Fin was a much-loved member of our team, but above all, he was a son, a brother and a friend to so many people. We will miss him greatly,” the team wrote in a message posted on social media.
NSN Development Team is the second team of NSN, a Spanish entertainment company co-founded by former soccer star Andrés Iniesta in 2018, which took over from Israel Premier Tech in the squad.
With AFP
