"I just let myself down" - Gutted Joshua Tarling misses out on medal in time trial at 2024 World Championships

After finishing third at the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow, Joshua Tarling headed to Zürich one of the hot favourites to take a Rainbow Jersey at the 2024 edition. Sadly for the Welshman, it was 4th place in the end as he narrowly missed out on the medals. 

Finishing 1:17 behind World Championship winner Remco Evenepoel, Tarling missed out on a medal by 23 seconds to newly crowned European champion Edoardo Affini in third. For most, 4th at a World Championships could be something to be incredibly proud of and while Tarling might feel like that eventually, in his post-race interview, the Brit did not see the positives.

"I never got going," said a visibly gutted 20-year-old in his comments after immediately crossing the finish line in Switzerland. "I cracked after the Olympics and then had a bad Vuelta a Espana, and messed up. It didn't go well.

"I just feel bad for everyone that put more in that me in terms of the bike and the equipment and British Cycling with all the help. I just let myself down with the training," continued the INEOS Grenadiers rider. "I basically felt sorry for myself and let some people down."