The cyclists’ union has expressed “fury” over the death of British rider Fin Tarling during Friday’s stage of the Volta a Portugal.
The 19-year-old NSN Cycling rider reportedly collided with a vehicle not involved in the race.
And the union’s president Adam Hansen told Sport there needs to be better helmet safety as cyclists hit record-breaking speeds during races.
“We are speechless and filled with anger,” said the Cyclistes Professionnels Associes (CPA) on social media.
“It is not right that a young athlete’s life should end this way, and we are furious that even today it is still not possible to prevent such serious accidents.
“We share in the grief of his family, friends, team, and everyone who knew Finlay. Rest in peace, young rider; we pray for you, and we will carry you in our hearts.”
Tarling was the younger brother of Josh, a time trial specialist for British super team Netcompany Ineos, who has won a stage of the Giro d’Italia and a European Time Trial title.
Fin Tarling himself had finished strongly in the time trial a few days earlier in the race he would never finish.
He was part of a new generation of male and female British riders on the World Tour who grew up on the success of highly decorated road cyclists, such as Mark Cavendish, Chris Froome and Lizzie Deignan, during a golden decade for British participation in the sport from 2012.
Just like all young professionals, Fin spent hours every day trying to extract as much performance as possible. But he was known to love every element of cycling and was always in the saddle.
His parents, Michael and Dawn, frequently attended races and even set up their own team in their home in Ceredigion, west Wales.
Sport understands organisers are considering a tribute to Tarling at the men’s Tour of Britain, which starts on 2 September.