ANALYSIS - Josh Tarling: A difficult summer that could spur future success

At just 20 years old, Welsh cycling sensation Josh Tarling has already begun making waves in the professional peloton. A member of the Ineos Grenadiers, Tarling has showcased his immense talent incredibly early on in his career, clinching a bronze medal in the 2023 World Championship Time Trial and nearly defeating the reigning world champion Remco Evenepoel in the Criterium du Dauphiné. These early results earned him recognition as one of cycling’s most promising young stars, particularly in the highly specialized discipline of time trialling.

However, 2024 has not been kind to the young Welshman. Despite coming into the season with great expectations, particularly for the Olympics and the World Championships, Tarling endured a string of disappointments. Crashing out of his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España, and missing the podium in both the Olympics and the World Championships Time Trial, Tarling’s summer was filled with frustration. But in the world of cycling, hardships can often forge champions. For Tarling, these setbacks may ultimately become the catalyst for an even more impressive future.

A Season of Setbacks

Tarling’s struggles began at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he was one of the favourites to medal in the men’s time trial. Coming off a strong 2023, he entered the race with high hopes, ready to show the world his talent. The 32-kilometre time trial was poised to be a crucial moment in his young career, and Tarling had meticulously prepared, aiming to challenge the very best riders in the world.

But fate had other plans. Just as he was settling into his rhythm, a puncture struck in the first few kilometres of the race. Forced to stop and switch bikes, the incident cost him precious time. While Tarling showed incredible grit and determination to claw his way back into the race, the damage was done. Even though he was still among the top ten fastest riders at the first intermediate checkpoint, the lost time proved insurmountable. Tarling crossed the line just outside the podium, finishing 2 seconds behind Wout van Aert and 12 seconds behind Filippo Ganna. It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given that he had the speed to potentially clinch the silver medal.

While the disappointment of Paris was fresh, Tarling quickly turned his focus to the UCI World Championships in Zurich. After securing bronze in the 2023 World Championships, many had pegged Tarling as one of the favourites to score another medal at the 2024 edition in Switzerland. However, despite putting in a valiant effort, he finished 4th, narrowly missing out on a medal. The Welshman was 1:17 behind eventual winner Remco Evenepoel and 23 seconds adrift of Edoardo Affini, who claimed the bronze. For most riders, 4th at a World Championships would be a result to celebrate, but for a competitor as driven as Tarling, it was another tough blow.

Adding to the summer of frustration, Tarling’s first-ever Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España, came to an abrupt end in August after a crash forced him to abandon the race. The Vuelta had been an opportunity for Tarling to gain valuable experience, learn the rigours of three-week racing, and test himself against the best in the world. Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed before he could make a significant mark on the race.

Tarling’s Age: A Crucial Perspective

Amid these disappointments, it’s easy to forget just how young Josh Tarling is. At 20 years old, he’s still very much at the beginning of his career. To put his age in perspective, consider some of the most successful cyclists of recent times. Tadej Pogacar, for instance, won his first Tour de France at 21, a year older than Tarling is now. Remco Evenepoel, who won the 2023 World Time Trial title, was 23 when he achieved the feat — three years older than Tarling is today.

Cycling is a sport that demands patience, particularly in the time trial discipline, where experience, precision, and tactical awareness are as important as raw power. Time trial greats like Bradley Wiggins and Tony Martin reached the pinnacle of their careers well into their 30s. Wiggins, for instance, was 34 when he won the UCI World Time Trial Championship in Ponferrada in 2014. Even the current world-beating time trialists like Filippo Ganna, Stefan Küng, and Evenepoel have had years of seasoning before reaching the top.

Tarling is still learning and growing as a rider. His physical talents are undeniable, but time trialling is about more than just power — it’s about how you distribute that power, how you handle adversity, and how you learn to thrive under pressure. At just 20, Tarling has time on his side to develop these skills.

Why Tarling’s Struggles Will Help Him

The setbacks of 2024, while painful in the short term, could be exactly what Tarling needs to propel him to greater heights in the future. Cycling history is filled with examples of riders who faced adversity early in their careers only to emerge stronger as a result.

Take Geraint Thomas, another Welshman, for example. Thomas endured years of crashes, injuries, and near misses before finally winning the Tour de France in 2018 at the age of 32. His resilience and ability to learn from each disappointment allowed him to refine his craft and ultimately reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Tarling, like Thomas, has shown that he has the mental toughness to bounce back. Crashing out of his first Grand Tour and narrowly missing the podium in two major races could serve as powerful learning experiences. He now knows what it takes to compete at the very highest level, and he’s experienced firsthand the small margins that separate victory from defeat. These lessons will be invaluable as he moves forward.

Moreover, Tarling’s physical development is far from complete. At 20, his body is still growing and adapting to the demands of professional cycling. As he continues to mature physically, he will likely gain even more power and endurance, making him an even more formidable competitor in the years to come.

The Future Looks Bright

Despite the setbacks of 2024, Josh Tarling’s future remains incredibly bright. His talent, work ethic, and resilience suggest that he has all the tools necessary to become one of the world’s best time trialists. With time on his side and the support of one of the most successful teams in cycling, Tarling is well-positioned to learn from this challenging summer and come back even stronger.

In cycling, the greatest champions are often those who face adversity head-on and use it as fuel for future success. Josh Tarling may not have won the medals he craved in 2024, but the lessons he’s learned could pave the way for even greater triumphs in the future. At just 20 years old, Tarling’s journey is only just beginning, and the cycling world should be excited to see where it takes him next.