The National Republican Guard (GNR) has clarified that the vehicle involved in the fatal accident of 19-year-old cyclist Finlay Tarling during a stage of the Volta a Portugal was not driving on the wrong side of the road. The vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction to the race, but in its correct lane.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Canatário, the accident was the result of a "combination of several factors." The peloton was split into three groups, with three cyclists lagging behind, including Tarling. The young rider gained speed on a descent, breaking away from his team's support vehicle, and the GNR's escort was unable to keep up in time.
The driver of the vehicle, who was waiting at a road access point, entered the course before the broom wagon after asking bystanders if it was safe to proceed. The GNR is investigating the signage at the secondary access point and does not currently anticipate criminal charges against the driver, who showed no signs of alcohol or drug impairment.