Wout Poels thinks about Gino Mäder after Tarling's death: 'Happening more and more often in recent years'

The death of 19-year-old Finlay Tarling sent shockwaves through the cycling world. The young Brit was hit by a van driver during the Tour of Portugal. The Arctic Race of Norway also took a moment to reflect on this tragic loss. Wout Poels knows what it’s like to lose a teammate.

Poels lost his teammate Gino Mäder in a crash during the Tour de Suisse four years ago. The loss of the Swiss rider still weighs heavily on him. “A blow like that hits the team really hard, but this affects all of us,” Poels told De Telegraaf. “We were talking about it yesterday during dinner. That’s when you realise this has been happening more and more often in recent years.”

Poels has been through a lot in his long career, but the loss of a colleague is always hard to bear. Especially since it’s happening more and more often. André Drege also lost his life in a racing accident, during the 2024 Tour of Austria. “When you see how often it happens, it does cross your mind that 18 years as a pro cyclist is enough. On the other hand, racing itself is still fun.”

"And don't get me wrong: what happened to Tarling is terrible, isn't it? But two people also died this week during a farmers' protest in the Netherlands, and unfortunately, there are so many incidents where people lose their lives," the climber from Limburg puts it into perspective. “Every family has its own struggles. And yes, when something like that happens within your own bubble, it hits a little harder.”

Darren van Bekkum also reflected on Tarling’s loss. “When you hear something like that, it really hits you. Is this every rider’s worst fear? You shouldn’t dwell on it, but it’s sad that every year we hear about a rider who has died,” says the climber from XDS Astana. “That’s not exactly what makes this sport so much fun. It’s terrible.”

Before the start of the third stage, a minute of silence was observed in Norway. Team NSN was given the opportunity to set the pace from the front row. The tears were completely understandable. “It’s a beautiful gesture to commemorate Finlay Tarling this way. And yes, what’s special about this sport is that the race goes on afterward. Of course, you often hear that the race waits for no one, and in cases like this, that’s actually quite sad.”