On a historic Bastille Day at the 2025 Tour de France, Ben Healy ascended to cycling immortality by donning the yellow jersey, becoming the first Irish rider to do so since Stephen Roche in 1987. The 24-year-old EF Education-EasyPost rider’s stunning performance in stage 10, held on July 14, solidified his position as the race leader, marking a remarkable chapter in both his career and Irish cycling history.
Healy’s journey to the top of the general classification was as dramatic as it was inspiring. Just four days prior, he had claimed a spectacular solo victory on stage six, escaping from an eight-man breakaway and dropping his companions with 42 kilometers to go on a punishing climb. He finished that stage with a commanding 2 minutes and 44 seconds advantage over his closest pursuer, Quinn Simmons. This win was not only his maiden Tour de France stage triumph but also a testament to his aggressive racing style and exceptional endurance.
Stage 10, a grueling 163-kilometer route from Ennezat to the summit of Puy de Sancy in the Massif Central, was the first true mountainous test of this year’s Tour. Starting the day in 11th place and nearly four minutes behind the race leader Tadej Pogačar, Healy was part of an original 29-rider breakaway group. Despite the daunting challenge, he managed to gain enough time on Pogačar to seize the yellow jersey, holding a 29-second lead as the race entered its first rest day.
The stage was ultimately won by Britain’s Simon Yates, who broke clear on the brutal ascent to Puy de Sancy, finishing nine seconds ahead of the field. Healy crossed the line in third place, 31 seconds behind Yates, but it was his overall time that captured the headlines. As the new race leader, Healy became only the fourth Irishman to wear the famed maillot jaune in the Tour’s 112 editions, joining legends like Stephen Roche, Shay Elliott, who led for three days in 1963, and Seán Kelly, who wore the jersey for a day in 1983.
Born and raised near Birmingham, England, Healy represents Ireland through his Waterford- and Cork-born paternal grandparents. His Irish national pride is evident in the green, white, and orange stripes on his jersey sleeves, a symbol of his status as a former Irish national road race champion. His cycling pedigree was evident from a young age, with early involvement in both cycling and mountain biking. At just 18, he became the youngest stage winner at the prestigious Tour de l’Avenir, a race known for spotlighting future stars.
Healy’s rise through the ranks continued steadily. In 2020, racing for Trinity Racing, he clinched back-to-back victories in the under-23 time trial and elite men’s road race at the Irish national championships. That year also saw him achieve three podium finishes at the Baby Giro, including a win on the final stage. His transition to the WorldTour level came in 2022 when he joined the American EF Education-EasyPost team. That year, he added another Irish national time trial title and a bronze medal in the road race to his growing palmarès.
The 2023 season was a breakout year for Healy. He demonstrated his climbing and tactical prowess with second-place finishes at the Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold races, narrowly missing the podium at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His aggressive racing style culminated in a breathtaking 50-kilometer solo stage win at the Giro d’Italia, where he spent nearly 200 kilometers in the breakaway before finishing with a near two-minute lead. This performance underscored his preference for attacking long-range solo moves and his ability to outlast rivals on hilly terrain.
Healy’s upward trajectory continued into 2024, with top-10 finishes at the Olympic road race in Paris and the World Championships in Zurich. In 2025, he maintained his form with impressive results in the Classics, including third at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, fourth at Strade Bianche, fifth at Flèche Wallonne, and tenth at Amstel Gold.
Reflecting on his yellow jersey achievement, Healy expressed disbelief and gratitude: “It’s just unbelievable really. 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.” He added, “Some pretty crazy footsteps to follow, isn’t it? I’m just super proud to represent Ireland, wear the yellow jersey for them, and hopefully I can do it some justice.”
EF Education-EasyPost staff shared in the celebrations, their joy palpable as they watched Healy secure the yellow jersey. The team’s strong performance throughout the Tour has been a highlight, with Healy’s leadership embodying their relentless spirit and tactical acumen.
As the Tour heads into its second half, the battle for the yellow jersey is wide open. Healy’s 29-second lead over three-time champion Pogačar and his advantage in the best young rider classification over Belgian star Remco Evenepoel by 1 minute and 29 seconds set the stage for an electrifying finale. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Healy’s daring style and tenacity can withstand the relentless pressure of the world’s toughest cycling race.
Ben Healy’s rise to the yellow jersey is more than a personal triumph; it’s a beacon of hope and inspiration for Irish cycling, rekindling memories of past heroes and igniting dreams for future generations. With the Tour de France’s toughest climbs and decisive stages still to come, the cycling world waits eagerly to see how this young master tactician with an explosive kick will shape the race’s final chapters.
