It is completely unacceptable for riders to have to avoid cars driving in the opposite direction during a 13 KM time trial. ⛔️ I have a rather radical position on the organisation of cycling races where, if you can't organise a relatively safe cycling race, I don't want your cycling race to exist. That's especially true if you can't organise a 13 KM closed time trial circuit without multiple external vehicles entering the course. On the same topic, in the case of Finlay Tarling (and many other non-fatal examples), the sport apparently accepts the possibility of "missing a few riders" with a rolling barrier system. A rolling barrier system means that the police convoy closes roads as the race comes near, and unlocks them when the race is passed. According to the early reports of the Volta a Portugal, the police convoy locks "prioritisied intersections" where cars are likely to be. This means there is a small but realistic chance that a non-priority intersection skipped by the police convoy results in a car entering the course. Basically, the sport inherently accepts the possibility of riders getting hit by external vehicles. That in itself sickens me. Some people will say there's no way to solve this, but I don't find "some riders might get hit" to be a good enough standard. This sport can do better, everyone in it knows it.

The family of Finlay Tarling has authorised this GoFundMe. It's a legacy project focused on providing an opportunity for future generations of young Welsh riders to explore their passion for cycling. Please share. 💛 gofundme.com/f/for-fin-s2u87