“We are heartbroken” – NSN pay tribute to Finlay Tarling as cycling world rallies around family and teammates
Cycling
NSN Cycling Team have paid tribute to Finlay Tarling following the 19-year-old's death during Stage 8 of the Volta a Portugal, as messages of condolence continue to arrive from across professional cycling.
Tarling, who raced for the organisation's NSN Development Team, died following a serious accident on Friday's stage between Melgaco and Fafe.
His death was confirmed by the Volta a Portugal organisation and the Portuguese Cycling Federation before NSN issued their own statement later in the afternoon.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today,” NSN said. “Fin was a much loved member of our team but most importantly, he was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many. He will be deeply missed.”
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“He was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many”
NSN also addressed Tarling's family directly, naming his parents Michael and Dawn and his older brother Josh, who races for Netcompany INEOS. “Our deepest condolences go out to Fin’s parents Michael and Dawn, his brother Josh, and everyone who was lucky enough to call Fin a friend. Rest in peace, Fin.”
The statement followed official confirmation of Tarling's death from the Volta a Portugal organisation, which announced that Stage 8 would be neutralised through to the finish in Fafe and that the day's podium ceremony would not take place.
Tarling had been competing in his second season at Continental level and was part of NSN Development Team's seven-rider line-up for the Portuguese stage race. He had reached Stage 8 after finishing 11th in the opening prologue and completing the first seven stages of the race.
The Welsh rider was also a former international track competitor and had continued to develop on the road, finishing second on a stage of the Tour du Rwanda earlier in 2026 and third in the under-23 time trial at the British National Championships.
Tributes arrive from across professional cycling
NSN's post quickly drew messages from teams across the professional peloton, several of which addressed Tarling's family and teammates directly. Human Powered Health sent “all of our love, strength and support to everyone on the team and Fin’s friends and family”, while Cofidis wrote that they were “heartbroken” and said their thoughts were with NSN, Tarling's family and everyone who loved him.
Picnic PostNL also offered their condolences. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our thoughts are with Finlay’s family, friends, teammates and everyone at NSN Cycling and Development Team during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Finlay,” the Dutch team wrote.
Burgos Burpellet BH sent its “deepest condolences” to Tarling's family, friends and the entire NSN organisation.
Team Polti VisitMalta also paid tribute, making specific reference to Josh Tarling in its message. “Everyone at Team Polti VisitMalta would like to send our deepest condolences to Finlay’s family, friends, teammates and everyone close to him, especially his brother Joshua,” the team wrote. “We are deeply saddened by the news of his passing. Rest in peace, Finlay.”
The response from across the peloton came as NSN Development's remaining riders made their way to Fafe with the race neutralised. According to RTP, the team had wanted to continue to the finish in tribute to Tarling, and the NSN riders led the peloton into Fafe. The planned podium ceremony was not held.
Everyone associated with CyclingUpToDate.com sends our deepest condolences to all who knew Finlay Tarling
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal today. Fin was a much loved member of our team but most importantly, he was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many. He will be deeply missed. (1/2)
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