Portuguese police feel need to share progress of investigation into Tarling's death

The death of Finlay Tarling during Stage 8 of the Tour of Portugal is understandably weighing heavily on the cycling world. After graphic footage from shortly after the accident was released on Saturday, the Tour of Portugal organizers called on the public to refrain from speculation and let the police do their job. However, a representative of the GNR appeared on TV on Saturday.

The man's name is Carlos Canatário, and he is a spokesperson for the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), Portugal's National Republican Guard and military police, which is investigating Tarling's death. Speaking to Portugal’s RTP, Canatário provided more details about the circumstances of the terrible accident involving a cyclist and a white car.

It is, of course, possible that the GNR wanted to put a stop to speculation, and that Canatário’s statement was also approved in consultation with Tarling’s family. The fact is that the Portuguese investigator was able to debunk a whole host of assumptions based on the investigation, which began immediately after Tarling’s death.

At the time of the accident, Finlay Tarling was riding alone, at the back of the pack as a chaser. On a descent, he was going so fast that a GNR support car couldn’t keep up with him. At that moment, there was one other support car—the last car in the race indicating that the peloton had passed (the broom wagon)—and two motorcycles following behind the race.

In principle, all three riders—who had fallen behind at that point—could have had a lead bike, but Tarling was going too fast on a descent. As he took the inside line in a fast left-hand turn, the car suddenly appeared there, driving in its own lane—but of course, it should never have been on the course at that moment.

The driver of the car had stopped as he pulled onto the road to let the cyclists pass. He reportedly asked bystanders if the race was over and if he could drive onto the road. “After waiting there for a while and seeing that no one else was coming, he asked if he could continue driving,” said Canatário.

Because Tarling unsuspectingly took the inside turn and the driver had unsuspectingly continued on in the opposite direction, the two collided in a dramatic manner. The pace car, the last car in the race, had not yet passed, so the British rider thought he was safe.

According to the police, the man behind the wheel of the car was in shock after the accident. No alcohol or drugs were found in his blood, so he is not expected to face criminal charges. “The investigation will continue, and more evidence will be gathered,” they added.

Canatário partially refuted the claim that the race organizers were unable to keep the course safe for the riders. “It’s humanly impossible to station a police officer at every entrance to the course. Those officers were stationed at busy spots, but: ‘This was a secondary access point.’ For that reason, there were only signs.”

"What was planned was carried out. There were no deviations from the operational plan." The signage will also be investigated.