Irish cyclist Ben Healy claimed a thrilling victory in Stage 6 of the Tour de France on Thursday, delivering a masterclass in endurance during a grueling 201.5-kilometer route from Bayeux to Vire Normandie. The 24-year-old EF Education-EasyPost rider, who previously secured a Giro d'Italia stage win, broke away early and maintained a solo lead to cross the finish line 2 minutes and 44 seconds ahead of American Quinn Simmons.
"Winning a Tour stage is surreal—it’s what I’ve dreamed of since childhood," Healy said, visibly emotional. His triumph on the hilly course, featuring six climbs and a steep 10% gradient finale, marks a career milestone for the rising star.
Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) reclaimed the yellow jersey by a razor-thin one-second margin over defending champion Tadej Pogacar. The Dutch rider, known for his sprinting prowess, acknowledged the challenge of retaining the lead: "I’ll savor this moment, even if it’s just for a day."
Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), who attacked fiercely in the final climb, now sits second overall, while two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) remains fifth. The stage’s punishing heat tested riders, with Van der Poel admitting he "struggled" but pushed through to edge ahead.
As the Tour progresses, all eyes turn to Friday’s Stage 7, where contenders will face another demanding route through Normandy’s rolling terrain.
