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Cyclists demand better helmets in emotional statement after tragic death of 19-year-old star

Finlay Tarling's tragic death at the age of 19 in a crash while racing in the Tour of Portugal has sparked an outpouring of emotion, as well as anger

[Finlay Tarling]

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Finlay Tarling died in a crash in Portugal(Image: Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)

The tragic death of Finlay Tarling in the Tour of Portugal has led to calls for better helmets and improved safety measures at major cycling events.

Up-and-coming star Tarling died on Friday after a crash involving a light goods vehicle. The 19-year-old, the brother of fellow pro Josh Tarling, was competing for the NSN Development Team at the time of the incident.

Portugal's National Republican Guard have launched an investigation into the crash, which happened in the north of the country. Tarling collided with a vehicle being driven up a member of the public after picking up speed on a descent while riding away from the peloton.

Cyclistes Professionnels Associes (CPA), the union for professional cyclists, has now issued an angry statement. "We are speechless and filled with anger after the news of Finlay Tarling's death at the Tour of Portugal," it read.

"It is not right that a young athlete's life should end this way, and we are furious that even today it is still not possible to prevent such serious accidents.

"We share in the grief of his family, friends, team, and everyone who knew Finlay. Rest in peace, young rider; we pray for you, and we will carry you in our hearts."

CPA president Adam Hansen has also called for changes to cycling helmets, which he says are no longer fit for purpose due to the speeds professionals now regularly reach. "They need a major upgrade," Hansen told the BBC.

"Bike helmets only need to meet standard testing like all helmets, EU standard CE EN 1078 is only rated for 19.5km/h and I do not believe this is enough for road racing."

[Finlay Tarling has sadly passed away following a serious accident in Portugal.]

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Finlay Tarling has sadly passed away(Image: (Photo by Huw Fairclough/Getty Images))

Carlos Canatario, a lieutenant in Portugal's National Republican Guard, told RTP what the initial investigation had found. He said the vehicle involved was driving on the correct side of the road when the collision happened.

"It's necessary to understand this difficulty, throughout the entire race, the mobile security detail has to be systematically adapting because the peloton's configuration keeps changing," Canatario said.

"What happened was that three cyclists began to break away from the peloton at spaced intervals, and the security detail was deploying to, as they advanced, catch up with each of the cyclists.

"Finlay Tarling was riding alongside his team's support vehicle, but as he began a descent, he gained speed and distanced himself. It was a combination of several factors that led to this outcome."

Tarling's team NSN said in a statement: "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. 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."

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