Josh Tarling will start the Vuelta a Espana this weekend just eight days after the tragic death of his brother Finlay, his team have confirmed.
Tarling has been named in Netcompany INEOS’s eight-man squad for the stage race, the third and final grand tour of the season, which begins on Saturday in Monaco.
The 22-year-old will take to the start line just eight days after his younger brother Finlay, 19, died during the Tour of Portugal.
The Welsh rider died last Friday after being struck by a van during the eighth stage of the race.
Police explained earlier this week that spectators had waved the van onto the road, having thought that all the cyclists in the race had gone past.
Netcompany INEOS were the last of the 23 teams to confirm their line-up for the Vuelta a Espana, having waited for Tarling’s decision on whether he wanted to participate in the three-week race following the tragedy.
Josh Tarling will start the Vuelta a Espana this weekend, just eight days after the tragic death of his brother Finlay
Finlay, 19, tragically died last Friday following a crash during the Tour of Portugal
‘La Vuelta is a big opportunity for us to finish the Grand Tour season strongly.
‘I’m confident in the team we’re taking and their ability to adapt to whatever the race throws at us over the next three weeks. It’ll be a tough race, because La Vuelta always is, but the team is united and looking forward to taking it on.
‘It also goes without saying that, as a team, we all fully support Josh in his decision to take part in the race.’
Josh’s decision to race has been supported by parents Michael and Dawn, who stated their son chose to race in honour of his brother.
‘On Saturday Joshua will be riding the Vuelta,’ Michael and Dawn wrote on Instagram.
‘He has chosen to do so in honour of his brother Fin, with the full support of his family, surrounded by a team who have been incredibly supportive of whatever decision he made.
‘I could not have wished for two boys who were closer growing up and into adulthood we have watched with pride as Joshua has been the most loving and supportive big brother to Fin. Following this devastating news he has been an incredible strength for us all.
‘Finlay was so incredibly proud of his big brother, and would be watching nose to the tv and shouting as he competed.
Parents Dawn and Michael, pictured with Finlay, have supported Josh’s decision to race
‘So it is right that Josh honours that love and pride by doing what Fin always loved watching him do.’
The post was accompanied with the hashtag ‘ForFin’.
A GoFundMe page, authorised by Dawn and Michael, has been set up in memory of Finlay with the aim of funding future generations of young Welsh riders.
Over £70,000 has been donated to date.
