The men's Tour of Britain is set to begin on Wednesday, with the recent death of Welsh cyclist Fin Tarling continuing to impact professional cycling. Tarling's former team, NSN Cycling, which includes Olympic medallist Ethan Vernon, is expected to be at the start line in Lincoln for a minute's applause.
Tarling died last month after colliding with a non-race vehicle during the Volta a Portugal, a race that uses a rolling road closure system, similar to the Tour of Britain. A police investigation into his death is ongoing. The incident, along with other recent serious crashes, has brought rider safety to the forefront of discussions.
Jonathan Day, director of the race organisers, stated that rider safety is paramount and a priority in planning and operating races. The organisers maintain that the Tour of Britain adheres to the UCI's road racing regulations. However, Adam Hansen, president of the CPA professional rider association, has questioned the efficiency of rolling road closures, noting a "hole" that needs fixing.
The five-day race will feature British talent such as Ben Wiggins and international riders including Olav Kooij and Filippo Ganna. The Tour of Britain will travel from Lincoln through Yorkshire and on to the Scottish Borders, concluding south of Edinburgh on Sunday.