Tour of Portugal: Finlay Tarling's team withdraws after the young rider's tragic death

Following the tragic death of Welsh rider Finlay Tarling (19), his Swiss cycling team NSN Development has just announced this Saturday that it is withdrawing from the Tour of Portugal.

In shock, the young professional runner's teammates will not participate in the last two stages of the event, while NSN Development focuses on “total support” for the victim's loved ones.

The circumstances of this tragedy raise questions, while there has not yet been an official position on this subject from the Portuguese authorities, who have opened an investigation, and the organizers of the Tour of Portugal. Especially since these are not fatal accidents involving only the riders, as was the case in the recent deaths of the Spaniard Ivan Melendez Luque (17 years old) during the 2025 Junior Tour of Spain or the Italian Samuele Privitera (19 years old) in the 2025 Tour of Val d'Aosta.

The driver “in shock”

No, the responsibility of a vehicle which was not part of the organization of the race is this time very clear in the death of Finlay Tarling, during this 8th stage between Melgaco and Fafe. The young Briton was indeed hit by a car traveling in the wrong direction. Chilling images from CNN Portugal even show Finlay Tarling's bike absolutely crushed after the impact, going downhill and just before a bend, against a utility vehicle which was not authorized to be on this road.

Finlay Tarling was a few kilometers behind the peloton when he collided head-on with this utility vehicle. The investigation will mainly have to determine how the driver was able to travel on the road reserved for runners, despite a safety device supposed to guarantee a closed lane until the last participant and the sweeper car had passed.

Portuguese media specify that the driver of the vehicle was “in a state of shock” after the accident, and that he was taken to hospital for toxicological examinations and an alcohol test, the results of which have not yet been known.

“Catastrophic” safety on the Tour of Portugal

Upon discovering the extent of the tragedy, the organizers neutralized the stage, while the peloton was 20 km from the finish. But the race resumed this Saturday for the 9th stage, after a tribute to Finlay Tarling. Former professional cyclist, and now consultant for RMC, Jérôme Pineau had his legitimate rant this Saturday, noting that six fatal accidents had taken place in three years during races.