Bystanders ‘waved van driver through’ mid-race with no police nearby before crash that killed British cyclist Finlay Tarling, investigators reveal, as 19-year-old’s heartbroken parents speak out

Cyclist Finlay Tarling’s fatal collision with a van mid-race reportedly came after bystanders mistakenly waved the vehicle onto the course. 

The Welsh rider, 19, died on Friday after hitting the windscreen of the van during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal. 

And now it has emerged that spectators had allowed the van onto the road, thinking that all the cyclists in the race had gone past them.

Carlos Canatario, a lieutenant in Portugal’s National Republican Guard, told cycling outfit Wieler Revue: ‘We know that he stopped at the access road, saw the peloton pass, waited briefly, and asked bystanders if the race was over yet. 

‘They reportedly told him that the last riders had passed and that he could drive on.’

There were no police officers nearby, to which Canatario responded: ‘It is impossible to station an officer at every access point to the course. We prioritize locations where the risk of traffic is higher. This was a secondary access point without officers, but with clear signage.’ 

Canatario also told RTP via A Bola: ‘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.

His parents, Michael and Dawn, say it has been ‘the hardest couple of days of our lives’

‘The cyclist cut across the curve – as is natural, as cyclists do – in the leftmost lane.’

Tarling was given immediate medical attention but died shortly after the crash. The race was neutralised about 20km (12 miles) from the finish line.

The driver is not expected to face criminal charges, although an investigation continues. 

Tarling’s death has caused immense sadness in the cycling world and, in the aftermath, a union representing cyclists has called for better helmets.

But most affected are his family, particularly his parents, Michael and Dawn, and his older brother Josh, an Olympic cyclist. 

His parents wrote on Instagram: ‘This has been the hardest couple of days of our lives and it’s taken us a bit of time to be able to post this.

‘One of the things that has helped carry us through is the wave of posts, messages, emails, articles and calls from across our family, friends, team, local and sporting communities. Hearing how lovingly and fondly Fin was thought of has been a huge help to us. We simply can’t thank you all enough for the support we’ve had.

‘I don’t know how we carry on from here but we’ll figure out with the support of all of our family, friends and community.

Tarling, 19, tragically died on Friday following a crash during the Tour of Portugal

‘Whilst our broken hearts will never be fixed, he was not only our son and brother but our best mate. Gentle, loving, with the driest sense of humour, we will miss him terribly.

‘Whilst he was only 19 his short life was packed full of wonderful experiences and achievements and we couldn’t be prouder of him.

‘If you’re heading out on your bike in the next few days give him a thought as you clip in. We will of course share funeral details as soon as we know.’

A fundraiser has also been launched in his memory, authorised by his parents, targeting £40,000. More than £33,000 has already been donated. 

It reads: ‘This fund can hopefully serve as part of a legacy project providing an opportunity to help future generations of young Welsh riders discover the freedom and confidence that a bike can give a child.’ 

‘One hundred per cent of funds will be donated and allocated in due course, with full transparency.’

In a statement, Tarling’s team NSN said: ‘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.

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

‘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.’

In a post on X, the Portuguese Cycling Federation spoke of their ‘most heartfelt condolences to the family of Finlay Tarling, to his team-mates, to the NSN Development Team, and to all his friends and loved ones’.

Cycling 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.

‘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.

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

‘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.

‘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.’

Canatario added 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.’

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 Union Cycliste Internationale 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.’