“He was not only our son and brother but our best mate” – Finlay Tarling’s father pays moving tribute to 19-year-old son as cycling world unites in support

Finlay Tarling's father Michael has shared a deeply personal message from the family following the 19-year-old's death at the Volta a Portugal, thanking those who have supported them through what he described as the hardest days of their lives.

Tarling died following a collision during Stage 8 of the Portuguese race on Friday. In the days since, messages of condolence have arrived from throughout cycling and beyond, while NSN Development Team withdrew from the remainder of the Volta a Portugal.

“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,” Michael wrote on Instagram. “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.”

Finlay, the younger brother of Netcompany INEOS rider Joshua Tarling, had been racing for NSN Development Team and competed internationally across both road and track. During the 2026 season he finished second on a stage of the Tour du Rwanda and third in the under-23 time trial at the British National Championships before lining up at the Volta a Portugal.

“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. 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.”

Michael closed the post with a request to those heading out on their bikes in the coming days, before confirming that funeral details will be shared once arrangements are known. “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.”

Michael's post prompted responses from some of cycling's biggest names as well as figures outside the sport. Mathieu van der Poel wrote, “Life isn’t fair. Wishing you lots of strength,” while Marcel Kittel sent his “deepest condolences” to the family and wished them strength to get through the days ahead together.

Robbie McEwen also addressed Michael and the family directly, writing: “My sincerest condolences to you and your family, Finlay’s friends & loved ones. Wishing you all strength in the face of this tragedy.” Sir Bradley Wiggins responded with a heart, while Gordon Ramsay added: “Sending all our love and prayers.”

For those within NSN, the response carried the perspective of people who had shared a team with Finlay. Ethan Vernon described him as a major part of both the squad and its culture, while stressing the friendships he had formed there.

“Sending all our love from everyone at NSN. Fin was such a huge part of our team and our culture, but above all, he was a great friend to so many of us,” Vernon wrote. “He will be deeply missed, and we’ll carry his memory with us and race for him in the years to come.”

Those messages came on top of the tributes already posted by teams including Human Powered Health, Cofidis, Picnic PostNL, Burgos Burpellet BH and Team Polti VisitMalta. NSN themselves had earlier remembered Finlay as a “much loved member” of the team and offered condolences to his parents Michael and Dawn, brother Josh and everyone who knew him.

The Development Team subsequently withdrew from the remaining stages of the Volta a Portugal, while NSN's WorldTour riders continued at the Czech Tour and Arctic Race of Norway with what the team described as “the full support of Fin’s parents”.