Q&A Feature: Finlay Tarling

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Second in the Junior Chrono des Nations in France, Finlay Tarling was pleased & gutted at the same time with his ride to be up there on the podium in this classic event

Q&A Feature: Finlay Tarling

Second in the Junior Chrono des Nations in France, Finlay Tarling was pleased with his ride to be up there on the podium in this classic event. After a week with the Great Britain junior team, Finlay has done the Q&A about the Chrono des Nations and more…

Finlay (left) on the podium at the Chrono des Nations

1. So close to the win Finlay, how do you feel now about being second in such a prestigious time trial, the Chrono des Nations?
Finlay: Thank you! Really pleased to be right up there but a little gutted to be just a second off the win. This race has been a big target after a year in which I’ve had a number of crashes and illnesses, so it was nice to get a decent result going into the winter. Gives me confidence.

2. Did it feel much more special to be racing this Classic Time Trial in France than other events this year?
Finlay: It’s always nice to ride this event. Its different to UK time trials I do as the Chrono des Nations is on fully closed roads and the course is on terrain where a range of power is needed compared to some of the flatter, dual carriage way courses we often get at home. Also the event feels really big and its nice to have the experience of having the team car behind me.

Finlay leaves the start house at the Chrono des Nations on his way to a second place.

3. Was the result from the Chrono des Nations one of your season highlights?
Finlay: Yes, it was up there with the European silver medal I won in the Team Pursuit earlier in the year. I set it as a bit of a target for the end of the season to get a result to take into my second year and it worked out really well. It was the first TT event I’ve gone into with a fully worked out plan. Compared to other UCI junior TTs, the distance was longer which better suits me. It was nice to have a plan that I could use my strengths towards.

4. Were you racing on closed roads like the other categories? If so, a much better experience to racing on open roads like the Junior Nationals this year?
Finlay: Yes, fully closed roads which was nice. This year’s nationals was on really small twisty roads with lots of cars and farm vehicles. With closed roads, its much easier to deliver the effort that you’ve planned

5. What type of TT bike did you ride?
Finlay: I was on my Giant Trinity TT bike with a 58 tooth chainring which was nice. It’s the same bike my brother (Joshua) used last year.

Finlay (2nd) and Joshua (1st Elite Men) are both very talented time trial riders

6. Now the season is over, what were the highlights of 2023 for you?
Finlay: Chrono was a highlight along with the experience of riding the track euros for GB in Portugal. Riding the really big spring classics was a good experience and a real eye opener into international junior racing. Being part of the winning team at the Junior Tour of Wales was fun and will be one of my goals for next year. I also enjoyed gaining experience working with the GB cycling team and my Dutch team WWV.

7. Now that Joshua is in the pro ranks, is that the goal for you too in the future?
Finlay: Yes, World Tour has always been the ultimate goal.

8. You race abroad a few times this year, what are the key differences between racing something like Gent Wevelgem and junior races here – closed roads? Faster/tougher races?
Finlay: I raced abroad this year. The level of competition is higher with longer distances and tougher courses. The organisation of racing is much bigger and slicker. Closed roads allow for much better racing without worrying about being DQ’d for crossing a white line. The races also feel more prestigious as they are on the same roads as the big classic pro races. I got to race all over Europe this year with my team which was great and even rode a five day Nations cup race in South Korea.

Finlay in Yellow in the Youth Tour (Isle of Man)

9. How has your week with the Junior GB team been? A learning experience?
Finlay: Its nice to be back going fast again on the velodrome and to get the hard yards in over the winter. We’re working towards some big track events in 2024.

10. Will you still be a junior in 2024 and if so, what are your goals for next season?
Finlay: Yes, still a junior in 2024. Lots of goals for next season but the big ones will be decent results in the Nations Cups for GB as this year they clashed with GCSEs and I couldn’t ride them. Specifically looking forward to Roubaix as it’s a big goal and a race I’ve always loved. European or possibly Worlds Track medal in an Olympic event is a goal. The Worlds TT is my biggest aim of the year.