By:
Conor Martin
Ireland’s Ben Healy wrote himself into the history books as he joined an exclusive list of Irish cyclists, winning his first-ever Tour de France stage on Thursday.
Riding for EF Education-EasyPost, Healy had to dig deep on the sizeable stage six, cycling 201.5 km from Bayeux to Vire Normandie. He did it in style, too, riding confidently and aggressively before he tore away from the pack to go on a solo attack to the finish line.
https://twitter.com/LeTour/status/1943327246485258460
Healy joins list of Irish winners
As mentioned, he follows in the footsteps of his countrymen, who have also won a stage at cycling’s most famous road race competition.
He now joins Shay Elliott, Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Martin Earley, Dan Martin and Sam Bennett on the list of Irish Tour de France stage winners.
Many and had Healy had made his break for the line too early when he made the burst 40 lm out from the finishing line but finished well clear of the second-placed American Quinn Simmons and third-placed Australian Michael Storer.
Healy finished with a time of four hours, 24 minutes, and 10 seconds; second and third place were over two minutes behind the Irishman.
Fellow Irishman Eddie Dunbar also produced an excellent performance, finishing fourth. In general classification, Healy is up to eighth from 33rd, while Dunbar is 29th.
https://twitter.com/LosBrolin/status/1943327800909259061
Ben Healy reflects on Tour de France stage six win
Reflecting on his achievement, Healy said: “It’s unbelievable, I switched on from the start. I knew I needed to get away from the group and pick my moment, I think I timed it well.
“I knew what I had to do, just head down and do my best ride to the finish.
“It’s what I’ve worked for not just this year but the whole time really. It’s really incredible, hours and hours of hard work from so many people and to pay them back today is really amazing.
“This was a stage I had circled in the book from the start and to do it in the first one is amazing.”
Social media reacts
After the race, many took to X to pay tribute to Healy’s impressive ride.
@Bearaxy_ said, “Yeees!!! I want Healy to win a stage so bad, and he did it beautifully. The fact that the next group of two riders could not catch him. Tells everything what a phenomenal ride Healy did. Huge congrats!”
@NoelM1986 was equally pleased, “Absolutely delighted for Ben Healy, nobody deserves a stage win more!!”
Legendary RTÉ sports broadcaster Des Cahill also took to X to sing Healy’s praises: “What a day for Irish cycling! As Ben Healy sensationally wins today’s Stage of the Tour de France….The greats of Irish cycling are acknowledged by @tntsports – and Eddie Dunbar is a magnificent 4th place!”
https://twitter.com/sportsdes/status/1943329109171405082
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