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.
