Finlay Tarling was introduced to track cycling at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales as soon as he was old enough to ride on the boards. From those early days at our Newport Live Saturday track sessions and Welsh Cycling Club Cluster activities, Fin quickly became a familiar and much-loved presence at the velodrome.
He was a regular competitor in our Winter Track League, where even as a youth rider he showed remarkable confidence, determination and talent. He was more than capable of mixing with, and often beating, experienced adult riders. It was clear to everyone who watched him ride that Fin had something very special.
Fin went on to be selected for the Welsh Cycling Performance Pathway and British Cycling talent programmes, continuing to progress through the sport with dedication and passion. At national level, he became Under-16 National Champion in both the Individual Pursuit and Madison in 2022, achievements that meant so much to all of us, who had seen his journey begin here in Newport.
Those performances earned him selection for Great Britain teams, where he represented his country and won medals at both the European and Junior World Track Championships. He also won team pursuit gold for Team Wales at the 2024 British National Track Championships. We were incredibly proud to watch Fin’s talent take him onto the world stage, knowing the hard work, passion and character behind every success.
But above all, Fin will be remembered not just for what he achieved on the bike, but for the person he was. He was genuinely kind, warm and loved by those around him. He brought a huge smile, a brilliant sense of humour and a real love for his sport into the velodrome every time he came through the doors.
His talent was undeniable, but so too were his humility, work ethic and the positive impression he left on everyone who worked, trained and rode alongside him.
Steve Ward Chief Executive at Newport Live reflected, “Fin will be deeply missed by all of us at Newport Live. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone whose life he touched at this incredibly difficult time. We feel privileged to have played a small part in his journey, and we will remember him with great pride, warmth and affection.”
As a lasting tribute to Fin, a fundraising initiative has been launched by his family and friends to help ensure that Fin's passion for cycling and the inspiration he provided to others continues to have a positive impact for many years to come. If you would like to donate, you can do so here: https://gofund.me/4b4b0bf51
Photo Credit: Carl Downing
