“It’s definitely of interest to see what he can do" - Joshua Tarling lined up for Olympic appearance on the track

Just 19 years of age, Joshua Tarling has wasted no time in making a name for himself as one of the brightest stars of the peloton. In 2024 however, could an appearance on the track be on the cards for the Welshman?

“He’s obviously a very talented young rider who’s got big power in the time trial. One of the first things he said to me was, ‘I just want to come on the track and go fast,’" GB men's endurance coach Ben Greenwood has revealed in conversation with Cycling Weekly. "The primary focus for Josh remains road racing, time trialling. But Dario Cioni, [INEOS Grenadiers coach who also trains Filippo Ganna] felt that it would be a good opportunity to get him on the track, get him training on it and get him racing on it."

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Finishing on the podium at the World Championships in the time-trial and taking victory at the European Championships in the discipline, Tarling clearly has a big engine. According to Greenwood, this makes the Welsh teen a potentially perfect fit for the British track team at the Paris Olympic Games next summer.

“It’s definitely of interest to see what he can do. The challenge with the Olympics is that the number of riders you get is so complicated. It’s not like a World Championships where you pick who you want," Greenwood explains. "You’ve got four [men’s endurance] riders for the track, and you can bring a fifth one in from another discipline. Realistically, it’s going to be someone from the road team that could do that.”

“From my perspective, it would be daft with anyone out there not to get a proper look at them and see where they’re at,” he concludes.

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