“What have I just done” – Ben Healy reflects on incredible Tour de France 2025 performance

Ben Healy’s 2025 Tour de France was one of the standout stories of the race. The Irish rider claimed a stunning victory on stage 6, wore the yellow jersey for several days after stage 10, and ended the race with the overall combativity award while finishing 9th on GC. In doing so, he became the first Irishman in 38 years to wear the maillot jaune, following in the footsteps of Stephen Roche. His Tour capped an already strong year that included third place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, though his build-up wasn’t all smooth.

“The quiet Dauphine was a product of me not feeling good. I just didn’t seem to be responding to training that well, struggling to lose weight. It was a bit of a panic,” he told The Athletic. Reflecting on his changed approach, he said, “Last year, I just went for it every day without really thinking too deeply. And I definitely paid for that in the second and third week. So it was really early in December that I started thinking: ‘How am I going to win this year?’”

Stage 6 was marked as a key target. “No matter who was in it, I knew how I had to win, and that didn’t really change. I knew I couldn’t take Van der Poel to the finish, but to be honest, I don’t really want to take anyone to the finish.” Healy executed perfectly: “I came from the back with a bit of speed, and when you come past at five kilometres per hour faster than anyone else, everybody looks at each other and thinks: ‘I don’t want to do that.’ Then it was just head down and go.”

Just days later, on stage 10 through the Massif Central, he took third and pulled on the yellow jersey. “I don’t think yellow was on the team’s mind, but it was definitely on my mind. After stage six, I wanted to hang in there in case of that opportunity.”

Eventually, he lost the jersey on the brutal Hautacam stage. “I really struggle in the heat; it’s a recurring weakness of mine. I could feel I had really good legs, but once I get to a point of overheating, it’s just so hard for me to come back from that. That’s when Sweeny came in and just poured every bottle he could over the back of my neck.”

That day still brought a special memory. “It wasn’t until the stage when I lost it, and was looking down at the yellow bike, riding up the Hautacam with everyone cheering my name, looking at the names on the road, that I thought: ‘What have I just done?’ So even though I was losing the jersey, I was climbing up the Hautacam with a massive smile on my face. That was the first time I really appreciated being in yellow, because the rest of the time was so crazy.”

His run of performances nearly included another win, on Mont Ventoux, only for him to be outsprinted by Valentin Paret-Peintre. “I think it’s still more pride, to be honest. I can’t be too disappointed. I wanted to race, I wasn’t able to pull it off, and Valentin was also super strong. It was still a really good day and a really good battle with him. For sure, I’m a little gutted to finish second, but that’s bike racing. You can’t win everything.”

For Healy, the most combative award was a fitting recognition. “It’s definitely something that appeals to me. As a byproduct of how I race, that’s a cool thing for sure. And getting to stand on the podium on the Champs-Elysees… how many riders ever get to do that?” Looking ahead, he has no plans to focus solely on GC. “I really enjoy being aggressive, and that’s how I want to go forward. If I believe I can contend for a podium, then maybe my focus will switch. But right now, going for stage wins and being kind of backdoor on GC is how I want to go forward.”