Ben Healy Climbs to Ninth in Tour de France General Classification

In a remarkable display of endurance and strategy, Irish cyclist Ben Healy concluded Stage 14 of the 2025 Tour de France by securing a spot in the top ten of the general classification (GC) for the first time during this year's competition. The stage, which took place on July 19, 2025, culminated at the summit of Luchon-Superbagnères in the Pyrenees, where Healy finished seventh overall, solidifying his position as a formidable contender for the yellow jersey.

Healy, a member of the EF Pro Cycling Team, demonstrated his tactical acumen throughout the stage. Initially, he aimed for a breakaway, making several attempts to escape the peloton as the race began. However, he faced fierce competition from riders like Thymen Arensman, the eventual stage winner, and Lenny Martinez, the current King of the Mountains. As they approached the Tourmalet climb, Healy recognized that his earlier efforts had taken a toll, prompting him to regroup and conserve energy for the challenging ascent.

"I went for the break today and spent a lot of energy doing that, but I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t have the legs for the stage, especially with UAE pulling behind, so I decided to pull the plug and see what I could do in the finale," Healy stated after the race. His decision to conserve energy paid off, allowing him to finish strong and secure his place among the top ten riders in the GC.

Healy's rise in the standings is a testament to his perseverance and skill as a cyclist. Born near Birmingham, England, the 24-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents in professional cycling. His journey to this point includes significant achievements in previous races, including a stage victory in the 2025 Giro d’Italia and a strong performance at the 2024 Tour de France, where he played a crucial role in supporting his teammates.

The significance of Healy's performance extends beyond his individual ranking. As Charly Wegelius, the Sports Director of EF Pro Cycling, noted, “Ben did a great job making it in. But the constant pace changes and accelerations were a bit too much for him to handle. He managed to recover and stay with the yellow jersey group, which was a great standalone performance.”

Healy's climb to ninth place in the GC reflects the competitive nature of this year's Tour de France, where every stage presents new challenges. The stage was marked by unpredictable weather conditions, including a foggy descent that tested the riders’ navigation skills. Neilson Powless, another rider from Healy's team, emphasized the importance of strategy during such demanding stages, stating, "I just tried to find a group as soon as the peloton started exploding. The fog was pretty intense, but luckily we weren’t pushing the descent too hard behind, so it was safe enough."

Moving forward, Healy's focus will likely shift towards maintaining his position in the GC while navigating the remaining stages of the Tour. As he expressed, “Now that I am top ten on GC, I am not just going to lose time on purpose. Days like this and the ones coming up are the kind of days that always suit me.”

The upcoming stages of the Tour de France will present further opportunities and challenges for Healy and his team. The pressure to perform will be immense as they strive to defend their positions and potentially vie for greater success. With his determination and proven track record, Ben Healy is poised to continue making headlines in one of the world’s most prestigious cycling events.