Ben pauses to enjoy his current top position in the peloton as he proudly wears the yellow jersey during the Tour de France rest day, taking in every moment of his breakthrough performance. The young Irish rider has made headlines with his perfect timing and fearless approach, celebrating a dream Tour so far.
ICYMI: Cork’s Triple Crown hopes hinge on Diarmuid Healy’s performance
A Perfectly Timed Breakthrough
Ben Healy has shown incredible race sense at this year’s Tour de France. He first made his mark by launching a well-timed attack from an eight-man breakaway on Stage 6, securing his first-ever Tour stage victory. He then led an EF Education-EasyPost charge on Stage 10, making him the fourth Irish cyclist to wear the iconic yellow jersey. His clever move to take the lead just before the rest day allowed him to fully embrace the achievement.
Soaking Up the Moment
“It’s been wild, really unbelievable,” Healy shared, reflecting on the experience. On the rest day, he took the chance to enjoy wearing the podium yellow jersey while stopping at a café in Toulouse, where he was surrounded by excited fans, something he had never experienced before. “I’m just soaking it all up,” he said, admitting he wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told him this would be his Tour de France.
A Calculated Gamble That Paid Off
Starting Stage 10 nearly four minutes behind Tadej Pogacar, Healy saw an opportunity on a favourable stage profile. He and three teammates managed to get into a large breakaway while main contenders like Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard delayed their chase. Healy described how the team played their strategy perfectly, getting into the break comfortably before deciding to push hard when they noticed UAE Team Emirates was riding a different race.
All or Nothing for the Yellow Jersey
As the stage neared its final 25 kilometres, Healy realised it was time to commit fully, pacing himself well on the last climb while aiming for the yellow jersey. “It was all or nothing,” he explained, admitting the nerves increased as he started to believe the yellow jersey was within reach. When he finally claimed it, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
Focused on Honouring the Jersey
Holding a 29-second lead over Pogacar, Healy knows the challenges ahead, especially with Pogacar likely to attack soon. However, Healy is determined to honour the yellow jersey as best as he can. “I know what I’m up against, but I’ll give it my all, that’s for sure,” he said, committed to defending his position while enjoying every moment on top of the peloton.
