Josh Tarling
{{short description|British cyclist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox cyclist
| name = Josh Tarling
| full_name = Joshua Michael Tarling
| image = 2021_UEC_Track_Jun_&_U23_European_Championships_278_(cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Tarling in 2021
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|2|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 1.94 m
| weight = 78 kg
| currentteam = {{UCI team code|IGD}}
| discipline = {{ubl|Track|Road}}
| role = Rider
| ridertype = Time Trialist
| amateuryears1 = 2021–2022
| amateurteam1 = FlandersColor Galloo
| proyears1 = 2023–
| proteam1 = {{UCI team code|IGD|2023}}
| proyears2 =
| proteam2 =
| majorwins = One-day races and Classics
:{{nowrap|European Time Trial Championships (2023)}}
:National Time Trial Championships (2023, 2024)
| medaltemplates =
{{Medal|Country|{{GBR2}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's road bicycle racing}}
{{Medal|Competition|World Championships}}
{{Medal|Gold |2022 Wollongong|Junior time trial}}
{{Medal|Silver|2021 Flanders |Junior time trial}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2023 Stirling|Elite time trial}}
{{MedalCompetition|European Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2023 Drenthe|Elite time trial}}
{{MedalSport|Men's track cycling}}
{{Medal|Competition|European Junior Championships}}
{{Medal|Gold |2021 Apeldoorn|Omnium}}
{{Medal|Gold |2021 Apeldoorn|Team pursuit}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2022 Anadia|Individual pursuit}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2022 Anadia|Team pursuit}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2022 Anadia|Madison}}
| show-medals = no
}}
Joshua Michael Tarling{{cite web |url=https://www.uci.org/rider-details/552934 |title=Michael Joshua TARLING |website=UCI.org}} (born 15 February 2004) is a Welsh track and road cyclist, who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam {{UCI team code|IGD}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.uci.org/team-details/17721 |title=INEOS GRENADIERS |publisher=UCI |access-date=2 January 2023}} A World Junior champion in the time trial, he won the elite time trial at the 2023 European Road Cycling Championships at the age of 19.
Early and personal life
Tarling was born and grew up in Aberaeron, Ceredigion, west Wales. He speaks English and Welsh.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/josh-tarling-interview |title='Everything leads towards the Olympics': Josh Tarling Q&A |website=Cyclist |date=23 July 2024 |last=Whittle |first=Jeremy |access-date=8 October 2024}} He has a younger brother, Finlay Tarling, who is also a cyclist and has signed to the Israel Premier Tech Academy for the 2025 season.{{cite web |url=https://israelpremiertech.com/the-future-is-bright-for-finlay-tarling-at-israel-premier-tech-academy/ |title=The future is bright for Finlay Tarling at Israel – Premier Tech Academy |website=Israel – Premier Tech |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=10 October 2024}} Their father, Michael, is a keen cyclist who used to race at Newport Velodrome.{{cite web |url=https://www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-rouleur-journal/with-the-resources-and-education-i-won-t-burn-out-junior-world-champion-josh-tarling-on-skipping-the-u23-category-to-join-ineos-grenadiers?srsltid=AfmBOoq4DokiQuJ4FxFOjK0ENEt0rMpbIv6Q3UZ2IBQlWKehdvtcwGix |title='With the resources and education, I won't burn out' - Junior world champion Josh Tarling on skipping the under-23 category to join Ineos Grenadiers |website=Rouleur |last=Jary |first=Rachel |access-date=8 October 2024}} In 2012, Tarling’s parents started the West Wales Cycle Racing Team, in part to address the lack of cycling clubs in the area.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/search/article/20120522-welsh-cycling-news-News--West-Wales-Cycle-Racing-Team-0 |title=News: West Wales Cycle Racing Team |website=British Cycling |date=22 May 2012 |access-date=8 October 2024}}
Tarling started racing when he was around six years old. He has described that he was “pretty much a full-time cyclist from the age of 10”, travelling across the UK and Europe with his family for races.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20240726-My-Story--Josh-Tarling-0 |title=My story: Josh Tarling |date=26 July 2024 |website=British Cycling |access-date=8 October 2024}} He raced his first time trial when he was 12 years old. Tarling has moved from Wales to Andorra since turning professional in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/wed-get-mcdonalds-on-the-way-home-josh-tarlings-rise-from-8-year-old-with-a-determined-streak-to-olympic-favourite |title='We'd get McDonald's on the way home': Inside Josh Tarling's rise from determined 8-year-old to Olympics favourite |publisher=Cycling Weekly |date=25 July 2024 |last=Davidson |first=Tom |access-date=8 October 2024}}
Cycling career
=Early career=
Tarling became a double British champion when winning the points and team pursuit events at the 2022 British National Track Championships.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/256228/2022-National-Track-Championships |title=2022 National Track Championships |website=British Cycling |access-date=29 March 2022}}
He won the World junior time trial championship in 2022, having won the silver medal in 2021.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=156583 |title=Profile |website=Cycling Archives |access-date=29 March 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/joshua-tarling |title=Profile |website=Pro Cycling Stats |access-date=29 March 2022}}
=Ineos Grenadiers (2023–)=
For the 2023 season, Tarling joined UCI WorldTeam {{UCI team code|IGD}} on a three-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.velonews.com/news/road/ineos-grenadiers-continue-youthful-transfer-policy-with-signing-of-joshua-tarling/ |title=Ineos Grenadiers continue youthful transfer policy with signing of Joshua Tarling |publisher=VeloNews |work=velonews.com |date=4 August 2022 |accessdate=5 August 2022 |author=Benson, Daniel}}
His first race with the team was the Étoile de Bessèges in February; he finished 56th overall but finished second in the final stage time trial, which was won by Mads Pedersen.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/etoile-de-besseges-tour-du-gard-2023/stage-5/results/ |title=Powless powers to Etoile de Bessèges overall win in final time trial |last=Tyson |first=Jackie |date=5 February 2023 |website=Cyclingnews |access-date=11 October 2024}} In March, Tarling competed in Paris–Nice; he made the Stage 7 breakaway group but had to abandon after crashing on a descent.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-nice-2023/stage-7/results/ |title=Paris-Nice: Tadej Pogacar in firm control with victory on Col de la Couillole |last=Fletcher |first=Patrick |date=11 March 2023 |website=Cyclingnews |access-date=11 October 2024}} Later that month he started his first elite classic, the E3 Saxo Classic, though he did not finish.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-saxo-classic-2023/elite-men/results/ |title=E3 Saxo Classic: Wout van Aert wins battle of titans in Harelbeke |website=Cyclingnews |last=Farrand |first=Stephen |date=24 March 2023 |access-date=11 October 2024}} In April he competed in his first monument, the Paris–Roubaix. Though he missed the time cut by six minutes, he finished the course, making him – at the age of 19 – the youngest rider to finish the men’s race in 86 years.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/outside-the-time-limit-19-year-old-josh-tarling-battles-to-finish-of-paris-roubaix/ |title='You have to finish. It's worth it' – teenager Tarling battles Paris-Roubaix time cut |website=Cyclingnews |date=9 April 2023 |last=Ostanek |first=Dani |access-date=10 October 2024}}
In June, aged 19, Tarling became the youngest winner of the British national elite men's time trial championship.{{cite news |title=British National Road Championships: Tarling becomes youngest time trial champion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/65982187 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2023}} The following month he raced in the Tour de Wallonie. He won the Youth Classification and finished second overall, beaten only by Ineos teammate Filippo Ganna.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-wallonie-2023/stage-5/results/ |title=Filippo Ganna wins overall at Tour de Wallonie |last=Tyson |first=Jackie |date=26 July 2023 |website=Cyclingnews |access-date=11 October 2024}} He finished second on the Stage 4 time-trial, which was also won by Ganna.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-wallonie-2023/stage-4/results/ |title=Filippo Ganna wins Tour de Wallonie time trial as Ineos sweep stage 4 podium |website=Cyclingnews |last=Tyson |first=Jackie |date=25 July 2023 |access-date=11 October 2024}} In August, Tarling finished third in the time trial at the UCI Road World Championships behind Remco Evenepoel and Ganna.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/66469281 |title=GB's Tarling wins surprise Worlds time trial bronze |work=BBC Sport}} On 20 September 2023 he won the European Time Trial Championships, beating Stefan Bissegger and Wout Van Aert to the gold medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/66869325 |title=European Road Cycling Championships: Josh Tarling wins time trial, with Anna Henderson claiming silver |website=BBC |date=20 September 2023 |access-date=11 October 2024}} In October, Tarling rounded out his road racing season with a win at Chrono des Nations, beating Evenepoel by 13 seconds and Bissegger in third place by more than a minute.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/chrono-des-nations-2023/elite-men/results/ |title=Chrono des Nations: Josh Tarling beats Remco Evenepoel to secure time trial victory |last1=Frattini |first1=Kirsten |last2=Fotheringham |first2=Alasdair |date=15 October 2023 |website=Cyclingnews |access-date=11 October 2024}}
In February 2024, Tarling competed at the first round of the UCI Track Nations Cup in Adelaide, Australia. He took bronze in the madison with Ollie Wood and won gold in the team pursuit alongside William Tidball, Rhys Britton and Charlie Tanfield.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/68177881 |title=UCI Track Nations Cup 2024: Great Britain win two golds among five medals on day one |website=BBC |date=2 February 2024 |access-date=11 October 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/68196886 |title=UCI Track Nations Cup 2024: Katie Archibald & Katy Marchant win silvers on final day |website=BBC |date=4 February 2024 |access-date=11 October 2024}} Later that month, Tarling won the opening time trial of the O Gran Camiño, beating second-place finisher Darren Rafferty by 42 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/o-gran-camino-2024/stage-1/results/|title=Josh Tarling wins neutralised O Gran Camiño opening time trial |first=Laura |last=Weislo |website=CyclingNews |date=22 February 2024 |access-date=22 February 2024}}
Tarling raced in the Dwars door Vlaanderen in March, finishing in sixth position after a dramatic race, 44 seconds behind race winner Matteo Jorgenson.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/dwars-door-vlaanderen-2024/elite-men/results/ |title=Dwars door Vlaanderen: Matteo Jorgenson wins solo on dramatic day in Flemish hills |website=Cyclingnews |last=Weislo |first=Laura |date=27 March 2024 |access-date=10 October 2024}} He followed this up with a 17th place finish at the Tour of Flanders – his second monument race – four days later.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-2024/elite-men/results/ |title=Tour of Flanders: Mathieu van der Poel smashes Monument with massive solo victory |website=Cyclingnews |last1=Ryan |first1=Barry |last2=Stuart |first2=Peter |date=31 March 2024 |access-date=10 October 2024}} In April, Tarling was on the start line of Paris–Roubaix for a second time, however he was disqualified midway through the race for taking an illegal tow from the Ineos team car following a mechanical issue.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240407-british-olympic-hope-tarling-thrown-off-paris-roubaix-for-rules-violation |title=British Olympic hope Tarling thrown off Paris-Roubaix for rules violation |date=7 April 2024 |website=France24 |access-date=8 October 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/josh-tarling-disqualified-from-paris-roubaix-for-a-sticky-bottle-tow/ |title=Josh Tarling disqualified from Paris-Roubaix for a sticky bottle tow |website=Cyclingnews |date=7 April 2024 |last=Farrand |first=Stephen |access-date=10 October 2024}} In June, he raced in the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he finished 46th overall and came second in the Stage 4 time-trial to Remco Evenepoel.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-du-dauphine-2024/stage-4/results/ |title=Critérium du Dauphiné: Remco Evenepoel sends message with solid win in stage 4 time trial and takes GC lead |website=Cyclingnews |date=5 June 2024 |last=Moultrie |first=James |access-date=11 October 2024}} Later that month Tarling defended his National Time Trial title, beating runner-up Max Walker by more than a minute.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/nationalroadchampionships/article/20240619-roadchamps-Tarling-and-Henderson-crowned-champions-on-opening-day-of-Lloyds-Bank-National-Road-Championships-0 |title=Tarling and Henderson crowned champions on opening day of Lloyds Bank National Road Championships |website=British Cycling |date=19 June 2024 |access-date=11 October 2024}}
On 24 June 2024, it was announced that Tarling would be part of the Team GB squad competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20240624-Team-GB-announces-first-riders-selected-for-Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-0 |title=Team GB announces first riders selected for Paris 2024 Olympic Games |website=British Cycling |date=24 June 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}} He came fourth in the time trial having suffered a puncture, finishing just 2.16 seconds outside the medal placings.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/josh-tarling-cycling-time-trial-puncture-b2586981.html |title=Josh Tarling gives blunt two-word response as puncture denies cyclist Olympic time trial medal |website=The Independent |access-date=9 August 2024}} He also competed in the road race a week later, crossing the line in 47th place with the peloton.{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/results/cycling-road/men-s-road-race/fnl-000100-- |title=Men's Road Race Results |website=Olympics |date=3 August 2024 |access-date=11 October 2024}}
In early July 2024, Tarling signed a new three-year contract with Ineos, extending his stint with the team until the end of 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/cg3j1ey227eo|title=Tarling signs three-year Ineos Grenadiers extension|date=15 July 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=16 July 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ineos-grenadiers-target-future-talent-with-josh-tarling-multi-year-contract-extension/|title=Ineos Grenadiers target future talent with Josh Tarling multi-year contract extension|date=15 July 2024 |publisher=Cycling News|accessdate=16 July 2024}} On 13 August the team announced that Tarling would be making his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España, which was followed by expectations that he would perform well in the two time trial stages at the start and end of the race.{{cite web |url=https://www.ineosgrenadiers.com/news/ineos-grenadiers-announce-youthful-and-ambitious-vuelta-a-espana-squad/ |title=INEOS Grenadiers announce Vuelta a España squad |website=Ineos Grenadiers |date=13 August 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}} He finished in sixth place on the Stage 1 time trial, 8 seconds back from stage winner Brandon McNulty. On Stage 9, Tarling crashed on a technical descent; while he was initially able to continue, he abandoned the race a few kilometres later.{{cite web |url=https://www.ineosgrenadiers.com/news/carlos-seventh-in-searing-spain/ |title=Carlos seventh in searing Spain |website=Ineos Grenadiers |date=25 August 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/winners-losers-vuelta-week-one-2024 |title=The winners and losers of the first week of the Vuelta a España 2024 |website=Cyclist |date=27 August 2024 |last=Wilson |first=Ewan |access-date=8 October 2024}}
In September, Tarling was selected for the Great Britain team at the 2024 UCI Road World Championships.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20240917-16-Olympic-and-Paralympic-medallists-to-represent-Great-Britain-at-2024-UCI-Road-and-Para-cycling-Road-World-Championships-0 |title=16 Olympic and Paralympic medallists to represent Great Britain at 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships |date=17 September 2024 |website=British Cycling |access-date=8 October 2024}} He competed in the time trial and finished fourth, beaten to the podium by Evenepoel, Ganna and Edoardo Affini.{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/it-didnt-go-well-josh-tarling-gutted-after-missing-world-championships-podium |title='I just let myself down' - Josh Tarling gutted after missing World Championships time trial podium |website=Cycling Weekly |date=22 September 2024 |last=Davidson |first=Tom |access-date=11 October 2024}}
On 7 October 2024 it was announced that Tarling had been selected for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/20241004-gb-cyclingteam-news-11-Olympic-medallists-to-represent-Great-Britain-at-Tissot-UCI-Track-World-Championships-0 |title=11 Olympic medallists to represent Great Britain at Tissot UCI Track World Championships |website=British Cycling |date=7 October 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}} He was forced to withdraw shortly before the event due to injuries sustained at the CRO Race earlier in the month.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BritishCycling/status/1846476366574661944 |title=British Cycling on Twitter |website=Twitter |date=16 October 2024 |access-date=16 October 2024}}
Major results
=Road=
{{divcol|colwidth=30em}}
;2021
: 2nd 15px Time trial, UCI World Junior Championships
: 2nd Time trial, National Junior Championships
: 2nd Overall Driedaagse van Axel
::1st Stage 2a (ITT)
: 3rd Grand Prix Bob Jungels
;2022
: 1st 20px Time trial, UCI World Junior Championships
: 1st {{cjersey|uk}} Time trial, National Junior Championships
: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour de Gironde
::1st Stage 1a (ITT)
: 1st Chrono des Nations Juniors
: 1st Stage 3a (ITT) Saarland Trofeo
: 2nd Overall Junior Tour of Wales
::1st Stages 1 (ITT) & 5
: 6th Overall Trophée Centre Morbihan
::1st {{cjersey|polkadot}} Mountains classification
::1st Stage 2a (ITT)
;2023 (4 pro wins)
: 1st {{cjersey|europe}} Time trial, UEC European Championships
: 1st {{cjersey|uk}} Time trial, National Championships
: 1st Chrono des Nations
: 1st Stage 2 (ITT) Renewi Tour
: 2nd Overall Tour de Wallonie
::1st {{cjersey|red}} Young rider classification
: 3rd 15px Time trial, UCI World Championships
;2024 (2)
: 1st {{cjersey|uk}} Time trial, National Championships
: 1st Stage 1 (ITT) O Gran Camiño
: 4th Time trial, Olympic Games
: 4th Time trial, UCI World Championships
: 6th Dwars door Vlaanderen
;2025 (1)
{{div col end}}
==Grand Tour general classification results timeline==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" | Grand Tour
! scope="col" | 2024 |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{cjersey|pink}} Giro d'Italia | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{cjersey|yellow}} Tour de France | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{cjersey|red}} Vuelta a España | DNF |
===Major championships timeline===
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" colspan=2| Event
! scope="col" | 2023 ! scope="col" | 2024 |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | File:Gold medal olympic.svg Olympic Games ! scope="row" | Time trial | style="color:#4d4d4d;" |NH | style="background:#ddf;" |4 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row"| {{cjersey|rainbow}} World Championships ! scope="row"| Time trial | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row"| {{cjersey|europe}} European Championships ! scope="row"| Time trial | style="background:gold;" |1 | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" |{{cjersey|uk}} National Championships ! scope="row" |Time trial | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="background:gold;" |1 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Legend |
| scope="row" | —
| Did not compete |
|---|
| scope="row" | DNF
| Did not finish |
=Track=
{{divcol|colwidth=30em}}
;2021
: UEC European Junior Championships
::1st {{cjersey|europe}} Omnium
::1st {{cjersey|europe}} Team pursuit
: National Junior Championships
::1st {{cjersey|uk}} Points race
::2nd Madison (with Josh Charlton)
::3rd Individual pursuit
::3rd Scratch
;2022
: National Championships
::1st {{cjersey|uk}} Team pursuit
::1st {{cjersey|uk}} Points race
: UEC European Junior Championships
::3rd 15px Individual pursuit
::3rd 15px Team pursuit
::3rd 15px Madison (with Dylan Hicks)
;2023
: UEC European Under-23 Championships
::1st {{cjersey|europe}} Team pursuit
::3rd 15px Individual pursuit
;2024
::1st Team pursuit, Adelaide
::3rd Madison, Adelaide (with Oli Wood)
{{div col end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/bio/Josh_Tarling Josh Tarling] at British Cycling
- {{sports links|maxlink=8}}
- {{2022 Commonwealth Games profile|60201}}
- [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/josh-tarling_1912562 Josh Tarling] at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
{{Ineos Grenadiers riders}}
{{UCI Road World Champions – Men's junior time trial}}
{{European Road Champions – Men's time trial}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tarling, Joshua}}
Category:British track cyclists
Category:British male cyclists
Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for Wales
Category:Cyclists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Category:Cyclists at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic cyclists for Great Britain