"Joshua is dealing with it in his own way" - INEOS' Tarling returns to racing only a week after the passing of his brother Finlay
CyclingFriday, 21 August 2026 at 11:15
The Vuelta a España will begin this Sunday with the presence of Joshua Tarling in the lineup of Netcompany INEOS. The Welsh rider will be doing so in tribute to his brother Finlay who recently passed away at the Volta a Portugal.
Tarling's parents support decision to return to racing
"On Saturday Joshua will be riding the Vuelta," Dawn and Michael Tarling wrote in an Instagram post. "He has chosen to do so in honour of his brother Fin, with the full support of his family, surrounded by a team who have been incredibly supportive of whatever decision he made".
Joshua's younger brother Finlay passed away last Friday after colliding with a vehicle that entered the route of the Volta a Portugal mid-race. The tragic incident has cast a dark shadow on the cycling world, but amidst this, it has given the INEOS rider motivation to pay the biggest of tributes.
In a lineup led by Oscar Onley, the time trialist's presence means that this Saturday, he will be amongst the main favourites to take the first stage win and red jersey.
"I could not have wished for two boys who were closer growing up and into adulthood we have watched with pride as Joshua has been the most loving and supportive big brother to Fin. Following this devastating news he has been an incredible strength for us all".
"Finlay was so incredibly proud of his big brother, and would be watching nose to the TV and shouting as he competed. So it is right that Josh honours that love and pride by doing what Fin always loved watching him do".
Josh Tarling is racing the 2026 Vuelta
Geraint Thomas explains Tarling's decision
Netcompany INEOS were the last team to reveal its lineup for the Vuelta, doing so with less than 48 hours to the start this Thursday afternoon. Tarling's name had already previously been mentioned on the media, so it came as a confirmation rather than as a surprise.
“Joshua is dealing with it in his own way. He is a strong guy," team director of racing Geraint Thomas said on the Watts Occuring podcast. "He is eager to ride the Vuelta, it was not a light decision that he and the team made; he really wanted to do it.”
The former Tour de France winner and compatriot of the brothers explained that the youngster wanted to return to the team environment after the tragic events of the past week.
“He wants to return to his normal daily job and doesn’t want to sit at home doing nothing all day. He just wants to get back to the team, worry about the race, sit on the bus with the guys. Those are the things he wants to think about.”
“We are all very supportive of Josh. He will be starting and we will do everything we can to support him in every possible way.”
Luke Rowe believes that a victory and tribute this Saturday in Monaco could be the best way to honour Finlay. "There is no other way to make his brother proud than by going to the Vuelta and trying to do something special, like trying to win a time trial.”
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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