On a day that traditionally belongs to France, it was Ireland’s Ben Healy who lit up Bastille Day at the Tour de France, seizing the coveted yellow jersey and reigniting memories of Ireland’s golden age on the bike.
In doing so, the 24-year-old has become only the fourth Irish cyclist in history to wear the yellow jersey, joining legends Stephen Roche, Sean Kelly, and Shay Elliott.
Not since Roche’s triumphant Tour win in 1987 has an Irish rider held the race lead.
Riding for EF Education–EasyPost, Healy was part of a well-timed breakaway on Stage 10, a punishing 165 km route to the summit finish in Le Mont-Dore.
While Britain’s Simon Yates took the stage win, Healy’s consistent performance, combined with a rare off day from race leader Tadej Pogačar, catapulted him into first place overall, holding a 29-second lead heading into the first rest day.
Healy first made headlines in 2023 with a series of attacking performances in the Ardennes classics. By 2024, he was firmly established as one of the most exciting riders in the peloton. His explosive solo win on Stage 6 of this year’s Tour already hinted at form, but few expected he’d be wearing yellow by Stage 10.
“This is what you dream of as a kid,” he said, post-stage, visibly emotional. “To be in yellow, at the Tour, on Bastille Day… It’s something I’ll never forget.”
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