Cycling world honours Finlay Tarling on and off the road

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal,” the team wrote. “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.”

NSN extended its condolences to Tarling’s parents Michael and Dawn, his brother Josh, and everyone close to the 19-year-old Welsh rider.

Tributes quickly followed from across professional cycling, with riders, teams and fans sharing messages of support and disbelief on social media.

Michał Kwiatkowski was among those to respond personally. The former world champion wrote: “Life just isn’t fair… Fucking cycling! I knew Fin personally. Such a great guy and such a sad loss. Thinking of his family and everyone close to him.”

Tadej Pogačar also shared NSN’s tribute on Instagram, writing: “A young member of the cycling family lost. 💔 Condolences to his family, friends and teammates.”

Spanish football legend Andrés Iniesta, who is closely involved with the NSN project, also shared a personal message. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Finlay Tarling, a young rider with the NSN Cycling Team’s development squad,” he wrote, before offering his deepest condolences to Tarling’s family.

UCI president David Lappartient described Tarling’s death as a profound tragedy for the sport.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Finlay Tarling during today’s Volta a Portugal,” Lappartient said. “At just 19 years old, Finlay was a young rider with his whole future ahead of him. His loss is a profound tragedy for his family, his teammates and the entire cycling community.”

The sense of loss was also visible at races across Europe on Saturday.

At the Volta a Portugal, the peloton observed a minute of silence before racing resumed. NSN Cycling's development team did not take the start following the death of their rider.

There was another emotional tribute at the Tour of Norway, where Tarling’s teammates lined up for the stage. They moved to the front as the peloton came together to remember him with a minute of applause.

At the Czech Tour, Andrew August delivered an especially poignant moment. The American, a Netcompany-Ineos teammate of Finlay’s older brother Josh, won the stage before pointing towards the sky as he crossed the finish, dedicating the victory to Tarling.

The emotion carried through to Portugal as well. Before the stage, riders left jerseys and bidons at a memorial for Tarling. Later, race leader Alexis Guérin marked his stage victory with another tribute, crossing the line with one hand on his heart and the other pointing towards the sky.