Ireland's Ben Healy etched his name into cycling history on Monday, becoming the fourth Irish rider to claim the Tour de France's iconic yellow jersey after a grueling Stage 10 through France's Massif Central. The 23-year-old's strategic breakaway and relentless performance across seven category-two climbs earned him a 29-second lead over two-time champion Tadej Pogačar.
Healy dominated much of the 165.3km mountainous stage, battling Giro d'Italia winner Simon Yates in the final ascent of Puy de Sancy. While Yates secured the stage win, Healy's third-place finish proved decisive in the general classification. "It's a fairy tale," said an emotional Healy, who also claimed his first Tour stage victory last week. "To wear yellow for Ireland – with our cycling history – is beyond belief."
The achievement places Healy alongside Irish legends Stephen Roche (1987 Tour winner), Sean Kelly, and Shay Elliott. Born in England to Irish grandparents, Healy emphasized his pride in representing Ireland: "These are crazy footsteps to follow, but I hope to do the jersey justice."
Analysts highlight Healy's tactical brilliance in leveraging a 35-rider breakaway from the main peloton. His UAE Team Emirates squad strategically conserved energy early before challenging Pogačar's team in the final climbs. The result reshapes the Tour's competitive landscape as riders approach Alpine stages.
