Tarling will be in our thoughts all this week, says Morris of tribute

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Cyclists at the Tour of Britain paid tribute to Welsh rider Finlay Tarling, who died last week following an accident at the Volta a Portugal, with a minute’s applause before the opening stage. The event highlights the strength of Welsh cycling talent, featuring prominent riders like Zoe Backstedt and Jess Roberts, and includes stages through Wales that boost local support and visibility for the sport.

Riders competing in the Tour of Britain paid tribute to Welsh cyclist Finlay Tarling ahead of the event’s opening stage on Monday in Cockermouth. Tarling, 19, from Ceredigion, died last week following an incident at the Volta a Portugal, prompting a minute’s applause in his memory before the race began.

Tarling was widely regarded as a significant figure in cycling despite his young age, with his brother Josh Tarling, 22, also representing Great Britain in the sport. Anna Morris, a 31-year-old Welsh cyclist and multiple Commonwealth Games medalist, said Tarling’s passing has deeply affected the cycling community both in Wales and beyond. “The Tarling family have said Fin loved riding and racing his bike, so when we clip in this week, we will definitely have him in our thoughts,” Morris said ahead of the race.

Morris enters the Tour of Britain following a successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she earned three medals, including gold in the individual pursuit and points race. She praised the strength of Welsh cycling and expressed enthusiasm for the stages taking place in Wales, noting the recent growth and visibility of the sport within the country. “Welsh cycling is in a really good place at the moment,” Morris said, referencing the upcoming national road championships and segments of the Tour de France passing through Wales in the coming years.

Among the Welsh riders to watch at the Tour is Zoe Backstedt from Pontyclun, who recently made her debut in the Tour de France Femmes and is considered a favorite in this UCI Women’s WorldTour event. Backstedt will benefit from strong local support during stages three and four, featuring routes through Great Orme and Llanidloes. Morris highlighted the morale boost that crowd support provides during long and demanding races.

Also representing Wales is 27-year-old Jess Roberts from Carmarthen, a Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medalist, who will compete for the Great Britain Cycling Team. Roberts expressed pride in showcasing Welsh talent on one of the largest free-to-attend sporting events in the UK, emphasizing the significance of representing a smaller nation on such a prominent stage.

The Tour of Britain continues the momentum of Welsh cycling on home turf while commemorating the legacy of Finlay Tarling, who had become a respected member of the cycling community before his untimely death.

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