On April 11, 2025, Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost showcased an impressive display of endurance and strategy as he won stage 5 of the Itzulia Basque Country, a pivotal event in the cycling calendar. The stage, which stretched 172.3 kilometers from Urduña to Gernika-Lumo, featured a challenging route that included four categorized climbs and several uncategorized ascents, testing the limits of even the most seasoned riders.
Healy's victory came after he launched a solo attack with 55 kilometers remaining, breaking away from a six-rider group that included notable competitors like Alex Baudin, Pello Bilbao, and Julian Alaphilippe. "It was a strong group," Healy remarked after the race. "We didn’t want to risk it so I went in the tailwind and I really had some good legs today and was just able to keep extending the gap and made it stick to the line.”
As Healy pushed ahead, he quickly built a lead that would stretch to an impressive two minutes over the chasing peloton, which was led by Ineos-Grenadiers. His confidence was evident as he glanced back towards the end of the race, confirming that he had a comfortable margin. With the finish line in sight, Healy raised his arms in triumph, celebrating not just the victory, but the entire stage. "I knew I had good legs today and just glad I could finish it off like I did," he said, relishing the moment.
Finishing 1:47 ahead of Axel Laurance from Ineos-Grenadiers, who claimed second place, Healy's victory was a testament to his tactical acumen and physical prowess. Simone Velasco of XDS Astana Team rounded out the podium, finishing just a second behind Laurance in a reduced group sprint. Despite the fierce competition, Healy’s solo ride was a standout performance, marking his first victory of the season and his second career win in a World Tour event, having previously triumphed in a similar fashion during the 2023 Giro d’Italia.
The stage unfolded with the peloton tackling a hilly terrain that initially thinned out the field early on. Attacks over the Las Campas ascent led to several short-lived breakaways, but it wasn’t until the 20-kilometer mark that the decisive six-rider group formed. This group included Healy and his teammate Baudin, alongside other contenders such as Bilbao and Alaphilippe. The gap to the breakaway hovered between two and three minutes as the race progressed, with UAE Team Emirates-XRG managing the pace at the front.
As the race neared the halfway point, the breakaway's lead began to dwindle, prompting Healy to make his move. "We had two guys out of six [in the break], so we knew we could play and that’s what we did," he explained, reflecting on the strategy that allowed him to seize the moment. Healy's attack came at a crucial time, just as the group approached the late-race climbs, where he demonstrated his exceptional climbing ability and endurance.
Healy's performance not only secured him the stage win but also set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Itzulia Basque Country. With one stage remaining, Healy will turn his focus to the upcoming challenges, particularly the punchy climbs of the Ardennes. "[My] shape is really good. I came here with the GC ambition but things went wrong for me the past couple of days and a bit of a shock to the system with the heat but it’s cooled down today and the form’s right there so nothing to worry about," he noted, indicating his readiness for the next challenges.
The overall classification remains tight, with Joāo Almeida of UAE Team Emirates-XRG maintaining his lead in the race, 30 seconds ahead of Maximilian Schachmann and 38 seconds ahead of Florian Lipowitz. Almeida's performance has been consistent throughout the event, and he will need to defend his yellow jersey in the final stage.
As the Itzulia Basque Country approaches its conclusion, the excitement builds. Healy's victory is not just a personal achievement but a significant moment for Irish cycling, marking the first time an Irish rider has won a stage in this prestigious race in 36 years. With the Ardennes looming, all eyes will be on Healy to see if he can carry this momentum forward.
In conclusion, Ben Healy's stage 5 win at the Itzulia Basque Country was a remarkable feat that showcased his talent and determination. As the race heads into its final stage, the cycling world watches closely, eager to see how the remaining competitors will respond to the challenges ahead.
