Portuguese broadcaster RTP reported that Tarling was struck by a vehicle that was not part of the race convoy and was travelling in the opposite direction.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/16/finlay-tarling-death-volta-a-portugal-safety-cycling

After waiting, the driver is understood to have asked bystanders if he could join the road, and then drove on to the course, before the broom wagon had passed. “In that specific location, we know there were no officers present because it was not one of the locations prioritised in the assessment that had been carried out,” Catanario said.

“The vehicle was going in the opposite direction to the direction of the race. The cyclist [Tarling] cut across the curve on the left lane – as is natural, as [racing] cyclists do – and that is what caused the cyclist and the vehicle to collide.”