Roxane Knetemann got goosebumps watching Josh Tarling: ‘You can’t describe what his family must be feeling’

Tadej Pogačar delivered on the streets outside his own front door in Monaco, narrowly winning the opening time trial of the Vuelta a España. The Slovenian produced another impressive performance, but there was one rider almost everyone would have loved to see win: Josh Tarling. The Netcompany INEOS Briton finished four seconds short of an emotional victory following the deaths of his younger brother and grandfather. Tarling ultimately finished third behind Pogačar and Ethan Hayter in the 9.4-kilometre time trial.

Finlay Tarling was competing in the Tour of Portugal when, while riding at the back of the race, he collided with a car that had entered the road. The 19-year-old Briton died from his injuries. His grandfather also passed away that same week. Whether Josh Tarling would even be able to start the Vuelta was therefore uncertain, but he did roll down the start ramp in Monaco. IDL Procycling previously reported that Tarling made the decision himself, with the full support of his family and Netcompany INEOS.

As one of the contenders for the first red jersey, Tarling gave everything, but victory eventually went to Pogačar, who afterwards admitted he would have liked to see Tarling win. Roxane Knetemann felt exactly the same way. “I would have loved to see Tarling win, guys,” she said on the In het Wiel podcast. “He’s had an unbelievable week, but to still go out there and pursue your passion, the passion you shared together, is incredibly beautiful on the one hand, but also incredibly tough.”

Knetemann could only imagine what must have been going through the time trialist’s mind. “I got goosebumps every time they showed him on screen. You can’t describe what his family must be feeling inside. On the one hand, it can give you energy to do the best you possibly can today, but on the other, it can completely overwhelm you.”

There was deafening applause on the start ramp when Tarling appeared. The announcer introduced the Netcompany INEOS rider as “Finlay’s brother”. Was that really the right moment to do so? “I don’t think an announcer would do something like that without discussing it beforehand,” Knetemann reasoned. “It has an enormous impact on someone, but from a human perspective I assume that it had been discussed.”

The Dutch former rider found Tarling’s performance all the more remarkable, not only because of the circumstances but also because of the course. Monaco featured constant twists and turns, while Tarling’s big, powerful frame is better suited to a different type of time trial. The course contained 25 corners in only 9.4 kilometres, making it exceptionally technical. “I think he’s probably better when he can just put the hammer down and stay in that position,” Knetemann said.

Tarling starts Sunday in the white jersey as the best young rider, and Knetemann believes there could still be an impressive Vuelta ahead for the powerful Briton. “He can add so much because he’s a world-class rider. The team is really happy to have him here. Even without winning the stage, for me he was the winner of the day. He was absolutely shining.” Tarling will get another opportunity against the clock in Stage 18, which features a 32-kilometre individual time trial.