Ben Healy Maintains Yellow Jersey After Stage 11 of Tour de France

In a thrilling continuation of the 2025 Tour de France, Ben Healy of Ireland successfully retained his yellow jersey after completing Stage 11, a challenging 154-kilometer loop around Toulouse on July 16, 2025. This stage, marked by strategic riding and a late crash involving defending champion Tadej Pogačar, concluded with Healy finishing alongside his main general classification (GC) rivals, ensuring he holds his lead going into the daunting stages ahead.

Stage 11, which began after a rest day, was characterized by a dynamic course that included the steep Cote de Pech David, just eight kilometers from the finish line. Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility claimed victory in the stage, while Healy, who finished 24th, maintained his overall lead with a 29-second advantage over Pogačar, and a 1 minute 29 seconds lead over Remco Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick-Step. Healy's performance has significant implications for the upcoming stages, particularly as the route shifts towards the challenging Pyrenees mountains.

Healy’s strategy during the stage involved conserving energy and ensuring he remained with the main group of competitors. “Honestly, I think I’ve lost a few years off my life after today, it was pretty stressful,” Healy stated post-race, reflecting on the intense pressure he faced throughout the day. His team, EF Education–EasyPost, executed a perfect strategy to protect his lead, demonstrating a cohesive effort to keep Healy safe amidst the tactical maneuvers of other riders.

The incident involving Pogačar, who crashed just four kilometers from the finish line, added an element of unpredictability to the race. Despite the fall, Pogačar managed to remount and regroup with the main contenders, emphasizing the high stakes and competitive nature of the Tour. Healy expressed concern for Pogačar, noting, “I was on the right of him, honestly didn’t really see what happened, but just hoping he’s okay.”

As the Tour de France approaches the infamous climbs of the Pyrenees, Healy's prospects appear promising. He will not only defend his yellow jersey but also the white jersey awarded to the best young rider, a testament to his exceptional performance thus far. The upcoming Stage 12, which includes the first hors-category climb of the Tour, promises to significantly impact the GC standings.

Cycling analysts emphasize the importance of this segment in the race, highlighting that the steep climbs will test Healy's endurance and strategy. Dr. Anna Richards, a sports scientist at the University of Edinburgh, noted the physical demands of the Pyrenees, stating, “The climbs in this region are brutal, and they will challenge even the best riders. Healy's ability to maintain his lead will depend heavily on his team's support and his own physical readiness.”

In a historical context, Healy’s accomplishment is noteworthy as he becomes only the fourth Irish rider to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour's 112-year history, joining legends like Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly. As he prepares for the upcoming stages, Healy remains optimistic, stating, “I think it’s going to be a pretty hard fight to hold on to yellow, but I’m going to fight right until the end, and just hopefully I’ll have some super legs tomorrow.”

The implications of Healy's continued success in the Tour de France extend beyond personal achievement; they resonate with the broader cycling community in Ireland, igniting national pride and support for the sport. As the Tour progresses, all eyes will be on Healy’s ambitious pursuit of maintaining his position against some of the world’s best cyclists, a narrative that continues to unfold with each passing stage.