Josh Tarling Eager To Repeat Stunning Giro Triumph Now He Has The Taste For Success

Josh Tarling is keen to savour more success after his breakthrough win at the Giro d’Italia.

After a year of disappointment, self-doubt, and relentless preparation, the 21-year-old Ineos Grenadiers rider stormed to victory in the stage two time trial of the Giro at the weekend — and delivered one of the standout performances of his young career.

It was a defining triumph that marks the Ceredigion youngster out as one the brightest young talents in the world.

“I can’t believe it, I’m so happy,” Tarling said moments after becoming the youngest time trial winner in Giro history. 

“The wait was not nice, I don’t want to do it again, it was a long day for 13km.”

The short but technical 13.7km course through Tirana, Albania, saw Tarling stop the clock in 16 minutes and 7 seconds — a time that proved just one second quicker than seasoned Grand Tour star Primož Roglič. 

Yet what followed might have been even more grueling: a 90-minute ordeal watching the rest of the field, including favourites and former champions, try — and fail — to beat him.

“It was stressful!” he admitted. 

“For sure I thought Roglič was going to be fast and at the top of the climb he had gained more than I would have liked, so it was really stressful to watch on the way in. 

“There’s a lot of riders here, so many favourites, and they were all spread out between everybody else, so it was a long day.”

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The victory marked a pivotal moment for the Welshman — not only his first Grand Tour stage win, but also a redemption arc after what he described as a frustrating and difficult 2023 season.

“Last year I was struggling in general,” he explained. “I tried to forget about that part of last season and it’s really motivated this part of the season.”

After finishing just off the podium in both the World Championships and Olympic Games time trials, and faltering at the Vuelta a España, Tarling had high expectations — and wasn’t living up to them. 

That period of reflection drove a winter of improvement.

“I’ve just stepped everything up, and the team has stepped up as well,” he said. 

“Everything’s coming together and it’s an exciting time.”

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Earlier this season, he claimed victory in the UAE Tour’s time trial, but Saturday’s win on cycling’s grandest stage felt different — bigger, more emotional.

“For sure this is the top, this is my first Grand Tour stage win, it’s super. I rank it at the top [of his palmarés],” he said, still visibly in disbelief. 

“It hasn’t sunk in yet and I’m not sure it’s going to. It’s such a big step and it’s exciting for the rest of the Giro. 

“It’s super special and now with the confidence I have I can look forward to the next one.”

Even as Roglič took the maglia rosa off stage-one winner Mads Pedersen by a single second, all eyes remained on Tarling — the young man from Wales who had finally shown what he was capable of on the world stage.

With another time trial set for stage 10 and more chances ahead, the rider who just months ago was stewing over past failures now stands tall.

“To win is definitely exceptional,” he added.

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