"There is going to be a pretty crazy fight for yellow jersey” - Ben Healy full of excitement and optimism ahead of his first ever stage of the Tour de France
Cycling
Stage 1 of the 2024 Tour de France is finally here and one of those with intentions of mixing it up for the opening stage win and the first Maillot Jaune alongside, will be EF Education - EasyPost's Tour de France debutant, Ben Healy.
“For me, there has been a big focus on the heat work, because it is something that I particularly suffer with,” the 23-year-old Irishman says in conversation with Velo, ahead of his first ever Tour de France campaign. “And yes, it’s gone really well. I’ve seen some pretty good improvements, so hopefully the hot baths and the hot turbos and all of that have paid off.”
Whilst Healy will, as mentioned be one of the riders hoping to fight for the first Maillot Jaune of the 2024 Tour de France, he's far from the only big name to have such ambitions. “I’d love to try and win a stage. As a team, we’re coming here to try and do that,” Healy says. “So I have the freedom to pick a few stages that that suit me, and hopefully get all in on those days. I think these opening couple days are really good for me, actually. But for sure, there is going to be a pretty crazy fight for yellow jersey.”
Speaking of the Tour de France as a whole, Healy is hopeful of replicating his breakthrough Grand Tour debut at the 2023 Giro d'Italia. “The first challenge is getting in the breakaway. There’s going to be a few days where you just see how it goes at the start. And if you can make it there, then hopefully I can get in one that suits me,” he explains, determined to continue his now trademark aggressive riding. “If I can pick up a stage, then that’ll be amazing. That’s the goal.”
“Everyone knows what the Tour is. I think that in itself just makes it that bit bigger," the Irishman concludes. “I’m feeling pretty positive. All the work has been done. I’ve just been anticipating the Tour and, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
If for whatever reason, you are unable to follow the 2024 Tour de France, you can check up on the drama via our LIVE BLOG!
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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