“I think he actually left it pretty late for Tadej” - Ben Healy battles to fifth on Mur de Huy as Pogacar storms to Flèche Wallonne glory
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar powered to a commanding victory at the 2025
edition of La Flèche Wallonne, launching an explosive attack on the brutal
slopes of the Mur de Huy that no one could follow. While the Slovenian rode
clear to celebrate yet another major win, EF Education–EasyPost's Ben Healy put
in a strong performance of his own, finishing fifth just 13 seconds behind.
For much of the decisive final ascent, Healy was Pogacar’s
nearest challenger. The Irish rider opted for a long-range approach rather than
waiting for the final kick, a tactic that ultimately paid off with a top-five
result on one of cycling’s most punishing climbs.
“Yeah, you know I'm not the most explosive,” Healy told Cycling
Pro Net after the race. “So, if I just make it as long as possible, I think
that's a better effort for me. And yeah, I just held a solid tempo all the way
to the top.”
When Pogacar made his move, Healy, like the rest of the
field, could only watch him go. “I mean yeah, Tadej went and I don't think
anyone was anywhere close to following him.”
Healy wasn’t shocked by the Slovenian’s attack but noted
that the timing was actually later than expected. “Well, that's what he likes
to do. I mean, I think he actually left it pretty late for Tadej.”
Read also
After showing strong form at several races earlier in the
season, Healy’s ride on the Mur de Huy further confirmed that he’s in excellent
shape heading into the rest of the Ardennes Classics, in particular Liege-Bastogne-Liege
this weekend.
“Yeah, for sure. I mean I wasn't really expecting that, if
I'm completely honest,” he admitted to the cameras. “The Mur isn't my cup of tea, I guess. So
yeah, I mean fifth place — I'm pretty happy with that.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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