“With the full support of Fin’s parents” – NSN Development withdraw from Volta a Portugal as WorldTour team races on in Finlay Tarling’s honour
Cycling
NSN Development Team have withdrawn from the remainder of the 2026 Volta a Portugal following the death of 19-year-old Finlay Tarling, while the organisation's WorldTour riders are racing on Saturday at the Czech Tour and Arctic Race of Norway with the full support of his parents.
Tarling died following a collision during Friday's Stage 8 between Melgaco and Fafe. The race was subsequently neutralised through to the finish, where NSN's remaining riders led the peloton into Fafe, and the planned podium ceremony was cancelled.
NSN Development withdraw as WorldTour riders race on
NSN announced its decision on Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after paying tribute to Tarling as a much-loved member of the team and, above all, “a son, a brother, and a friend to so many”.
“Following Fin Tarling’s tragic passing on Friday, the NSN Development Team has withdrawn from the remaining Volta a Portugal stages,” the team confirmed in its latest statement.
The WorldTour side has taken a different course with the backing of Tarling's family. “With the full support of Fin’s parents, the WorldTour team will race on at Czech Tour and the Arctic Race of Norway,” NSN continued. “We will continue to hold Fin in our hearts as we race in his honor, doing what he loved most.”
NSN closed the statement by acknowledging the reaction from within and beyond the sport. “We want to thank everyone in the cycling community and beyond for the incredible support at this difficult time.”
The team's first statement on Friday had named Finlay's parents, Michael and Dawn, and his older brother Josh, who races for Netcompany INEOS. NSN offered its condolences to the family and “everyone who was lucky enough to call Fin a friend” before concluding: “Rest in peace, Fin.”
The withdrawal means none of Tarling's NSN Development teammates are taking part in Saturday's Stage 9 or Sunday's final stage of the Volta a Portugal.
GNR investigation continues into Friday's collision
More information has emerged from Portuguese authorities since the Volta a Portugal organisation and Portuguese Cycling Federation initially confirmed only that Tarling had died following a “serious accident” during Stage 8.
A source from the Viana do Castelo Territorial Command of Portugal's GNR told news agency Lusa that a light goods vehicle which was not part of the race was travelling in the opposite direction to the event when the collision with Tarling occurred. The incident happened in Arcozelo, Ponte de Lima.
Correio da Manha has separately reported that the driver believed the peloton had already passed and made a U-turn before the collision. That sequence has not been confirmed by the GNR, which said on Saturday that it is continuing its enquiries to establish precisely what happened.
The Volta organisation has also urged against speculation while that investigation remains ongoing, saying responsibility for establishing the circumstances lies with the GNR.
Friday's stage was neutralised following Tarling's death. According to RTP, NSN Development wanted to continue to Fafe in tribute to their teammate, and the team's remaining riders led the neutralised peloton into the finish.
Volta a Portugal continues without NSN Development
The Volta a Portugal resumed with Stage 9 on Saturday, but without NSN Development on the start line. Race organisers said the penultimate stage would take place in an “atmosphere of profound mourning” and arranged a tribute to Tarling involving the peloton before the start.
The organisation also cancelled the publicity caravan and other promotional activities for the final two days of the race, while the Clube da Volta hospitality area was reduced to essential services.
The decision to continue the race has nevertheless been met with a mixed reception online. Alongside messages supporting the decision to resume in a stripped-back form, a number of cycling fans have argued that the Volta should have been cancelled completely following Tarling's death, with criticism appearing across social-media posts, cycling forums and comment sections as Stage 9 got under way.
Elsewhere, NSN's WorldTour riders are continuing their scheduled races at the Czech Tour and Arctic Race of Norway under the decision announced on Saturday morning with the support of Finlay's parents. NSN Development, meanwhile, will take no further part in the Volta a Portugal.
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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Team Statement: Saturday 15 August
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