Tarling laughs at his average speed and credits Kwiatkowski: "He got the ball rolling"

Joshua Tarling blasted over the twelve-kilometer time trial course during the second stage of the UAE Tour. As many had expected, the 21-year-old British rider from INEOS Grenadiers was by far the fastest. However, he lost his self-confidence and was unsure he would win.

Before the race, Tarling said he needed a win. He managed to get one, but why did he need it so badly? "I had a lot of bad luck at the end of last season. I often finished second, so I needed a win. I am, therefore, pleased with this victory," he said in the flash interview.

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Tarling in his time trial position

Kwiatkowski got the INEOS ball rolling

Although the Brit did not often finish second in 2024, only once in a time trial during the Critérium du Dauphiné, he did often come up short and miss out on medals, like when he finished fourth in the world time trial championships and fourth in the Olympic time trial. Tarling's last victory was on November 22 last year, almost a year ago.

"Hopefully, I now have some of my self-confidence back," he says, visibly relieved after such a long period without success. "I went to Teide with the team during the winter, and we have a great mindset as a group. That was also clearly visible yesterday with Kwiatkowski's victory. He got the ball rolling for us," says the INEOS rider.

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Average speed of over 56km/h sounds cool

Tarling was short about the time trial itself. 'It was very windy at the start. "We had a headwind the whole time, and then there was a section with many crosswinds. The first part was really the hardest. It felt like a time trial with two halves," yet the British rider finished with an average of 56.6 km/h. "Yeah, it sounds cool," he says with a laugh.

How long Tarling can enjoy his leader's jersey is anyone's guess. Tomorrow, the first uphill finish of the program will be held. Jebel Jais, with its 19 km at 5.6%, may seem just a little too tough, although that depends entirely on the course of the race. "Tomorrow will be an important day," Tarling said.

Read also

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Tarling blasts toward time trial victory in UAE Tour, Pogacar strengthens position in GC

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