Maeve Plouffe says incident on Wednesday was \u2018scary\u2019<\/p>\n
Josh Tarling to ride in Vuelta in memory of brother Fin<\/p>\n
The Australian rider Maeve Plouffe says she was nearly hit by a non-race car during the opening stage of the Tour of Britain Women.<\/p>\n
With cycling still coming to terms with the death at the Volta a Portugal of the 19-year-old British rider Finlay Tarling, who was last week killed in a collision with a vehicle that had entered the course, Plouffe said the incident occurred as she was chasing the peloton after a puncture on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the race convoy was still in sight, and I was less than two minutes down, there were cars from the general public coming at me from all directions, including one that nearly hit me on a roundabout,\u201d said the 27-year-old, who rides for O\u2019Shea Red Chilli Bikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cLater on, the moto escort was wonderful and I felt much safer. But considering the recent devastating events in our cycling community, it\u2019s scary to see situations like this, when we know that this can have horrific consequences, especially so soon after suffering such a tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan Day, the events director of British Cycling Ventures \u2013 which organises the Tour of Britain Women \u2013 issued a statement to the BBC. \u201cWe note Maeve Plouffe\u2019s comments about her experience during yesterday\u2019s race, and we\u2019re taking these extremely seriously,\u201d it read. \u201cRider safety is paramount and will always be treated as a priority in our planning and how we operate any race.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re reviewing what happened with Maeve and her team O\u2019Shea Red Chilli Bikes with the seriousness and empathy these comments demand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lorena Wiebes sprinted to victory on a rain-affected second stage of the Tour of Britain Women on Thursday, after the race was neutralised in the middle of the stage for nearly an hour following an unrelated road traffic accident ahead of the peloton. The Dutch rider also won the opening stage of the race.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Josh Tarling, the older brother of Finlay, will ride in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, which begins on Saturday. The 22-year-old rider, who also rode in the Tour de France this summer, was confirmed as a member of the team by Netcompany-Ineos on Thursday.<\/p>\n
His mother, Dawn, posted on Instagram: \u201cHe has chosen to do so in honour of his brother Fin, with the full support of his family, surrounded by a team who have been incredibly supportive of whatever decision he made.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could not have wished for two boys who were closer growing up and into adulthood we have watched with pride as Joshua has been the most loving and supportive big brother to Fin. Following this devastating news he has been an incredible strength for us all.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinlay was so incredibly proud of his big brother, and would be watching nose to the TV and shouting as he competed. So it is right that Josh honours that love and pride by doing what Fin always loved watching him do.\u201d<\/p>\n