Tour de France heart break, and Ireland's next cycling star: Is Ben Healy the unsung hero of 2024?

At only 24 years of age, Ben Healy has quickly risen to become a fan favourite for cycling fans on the UCI WorldTour circuit. Born in Kingswinford, England, Healy’s heritage lies with his Irish father, and he pledged his allegiance to Ireland when he was still just a teenager.

Now riding for EF Education–EasyPost, Healy has proven his worth time and time again, often lighting up races with his relentless fighting spirit, daring attacks, and skill across various terrains. It’s fair to ask: is he the unsung hero of the 2024 season?

Healy’s rise to prominence didn’t come overnight. From an early age, he displayed a knack for attacking that we are now accustomed to, as he won stages in prestigious junior races like the Tour de l'Avenir and the Baby Giro. For context, these races are often considered stepping stones for future stars, with legends such as Tadej Pogacar and Egan Bernal previously taking early career victories in these events. Whilst we’re not saying Healy is going to morph into the 2024 version of Tadej Pogacar over the next few seasons, quite frankly it will be difficult even for Pogacar to do that, but it is clear that Healy has got a serious amount of racing pedigree.

Further reinforcing his status, Healy has claimed the Irish national titles in both the road race and the time trial, showcasing his versatility as a rider. These championships revealed Healy’s strength and tactical nous on the bike, elements that would continue to serve him well in his quest for stage wins in major races. His breakthrough came in 2023, when he won a stage at the Giro d'Italia, a moment that signalled his arrival on the grand tour stage.

The 2024 Tour de France provided Healy with a platform to showcase his abilities to the fullest. Despite not securing a stage victory, his performances were nothing short of heroic, especially during Stage 9 on the gravel roads of Champagne. As soon as the breakaway passed under the red kite, Healy launched an audacious attack, having already tested his legs with two kilometres to go. He sprinted up the side of the group and took off, giving everything in pursuit of a memorable victory. For a moment, it looked as if he’d broken free from his rivals, but they quickly closed the gap, leaving Healy with a fifth-place finish that underscored his unwavering determination.

Reflecting on the race, Healy said in a team press release, “It was a full gas fight from the start for the breakaway. I kept my cards close to my chest until the first sector because we knew it was pretty hard after that and if the gap wasn’t too big we could maybe bridge. That’s what I managed to do with Pidcock. It was a tough old battle to get across and I think we spent a lot of pennies there. As soon as we caught them, we hit the next gravel sector on the steep part. We were in for a hard day then!

“And from there, it was just a war of attrition with nowhere really for me to make a big difference in the final. Everyone was so knackered. It wasn’t just me. When it’s flat, it’s hard to make a difference. It was always going to be tough, but we gave it a good go and I’m just happy we were there and represented in the finish. We’ve just got to keep playing our cards and eventually it’ll roll our way.”

The Tour de France can be ruthless, and Healy’s determination on Stage 9 epitomised this. However, this wasn’t the only instance of heartbreak for Healy. In Stage 14, he was once again in the thick of the action, leading the breakaway solo on the Pla d'Adet with a minute's advantage over the GC contenders. But when the peloton attacks came, spearheaded by UAE Team Emirates' Adam Yates and Tadej Pogacar, Healy’s lead evaporated, and he was caught by the favourites.

“I think the crowd was something special. It was not a disappointment, it’s just bike racing. I gave everything to be in the break and was grateful I could do my best,” Healy said after the stage, showing his admirable resilience in the face of defeat.

“Adam Yates and Tadej Pogacar caught me from behind, and there’s not much you can do from there. I held in there for a bit, but then there was nothing more I could do. Maybe this isn’t the type of medal we want, but it is something.”

Although a stage win eluded him, Healy’s exploits did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the combativity prize for his gritty performance. It’s an accolade that underscores how much heart he has showed during his Tour de France debut in 2024. Healy’s presence at the front of the race has become a near-daily occurrence, which made him one of the Tour’s most captivating and relentless riders.

Just two weeks after the Tour concluded, Healy was back in France and up to his old tricks in the Olympic road race. In a race that Remco Evenepoel eventually destroyed the peloton in, Healy once again showed his love for attacking. Although Ireland wasn't among the favourites, Healy didn’t let this discourage him. Together with Alexey Lutsenko, he launched an ambitious attack with 95 kilometres to go, later continuing solo before being caught by the peloton led by Evenepoel. Despite being reeled in, Healy crossed the finish line in the top 10, a testament to his ability and courage.

“I played my cards the best way I know how,” Healy reflected post-race. “Maybe if I’d had a tiny bit more in the tank today then I could have been in the shout for a medal, but I'm super proud of that performance. A top 10 is a result. I think I put myself in the best place and did what I know suits me best. There were just stronger guys today, unfortunately.”

For Healy, adding his name to the list of Irish cyclists who have won a Tour de France stage is more than just a personal goal, it’s a chance to make history. Ireland has had six riders take Tour stage victories, including Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche, whose legacies in cycling are the stuff of legend. Securing a stage victory would not only place Healy among the greats but would also inspire a new generation of Irish cyclists.

The Tour is brutal, and victories can often feel like distant dreams. Yet, Healy has shown that he has the drive and skill to turn those dreams into reality. With his talent, he stands a strong chance of landing a major win next season. A Tour de France stage win in 2025 would add a remarkable chapter to Ireland’s cycling story, and Healy seems poised to make it happen.

Throughout 2024, Ben Healy has become a fan favourite, bringing an exciting dynamism to every race he enters. His relentless attacks and fearless racing style have won him admiration, even if they haven’t always brought the rewards he deserves. What sets Healy apart is his unyielding spirit, as regardless of the odds, he fights for every inch on the road.

If 2024 has shown us anything, it’s that Ben Healy’s cycling journey is only just beginning. His close calls, near-misses, and hard-fought efforts are laying the groundwork for what promises to be an impressive career. For now, he may be the unsung hero of this season, but if he continues to ride with such passion and persistence, he’ll soon be standing on the podium, and Ireland will celebrate having found a new star.