Josh Tarling eyes 'perfect' Olympic time trial

The 19-year-old Ineos Grenadiers sensation is eyeing two medals in Paris - Adam Becket caught up with him in Australia

- Adam Becket

Josh Tarling turns just 20 next week, on Valentine’s Day to be exact, yet the Welshman will likely head to the Olympics in Paris this summer as one of GB’s best hopes of at least one cycling medal.

The Ineos Grenadiers rider, European time trial champion no less, is one of the favourites for the race against the clock.

If it feels strange to describe a 20-year-old, in his second year as a pro, as a front runner for one of the biggest races of the year, it shouldn’t. In 2023, Tarling won the British Nationals, came third at the World Championships, won a World-Tour time trial at the Renewi Tour, and then took the European title followed by the Chrono des Nations. It was some year.

“It’s cool, innit,” Tarling told Cycling Weekly of his status as a favourite. “I do try to block it out though, because otherwise, I end up thinking about it, but it’s pretty cool.”