In a stage that will be etched into the annals of the Tour de France, Ben Healy delivered a performance of raw power and unrelenting courage on the iconic Mont Ventoux during stage 16.
While the stage victory slipped through his fingers, Healy’s audacious ride cemented his status as one of most agressive and hardworking riders in the peloton.
After Enric Mas (Movistar) launched a solo move past the Chalet Reynard, Healy sensed his moment. With a surge of power, he bridged across to Mas, joined by Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious), forming a select group of contenders for the stage win.
On the exposed, windswept upper slopes of Mont Ventoux, where the lunar landscape and howling winds test even the strongest riders, Healy unleashed a breathtaking display of strength. Trading attacks with Paret-Peintre, he pushed the pace relentlessly, averaging an astonishing 361 watts over the ascent and clocking a time of 55:58.
“I knew I was in pretty good shape this Tour, so the plan was to just ride up the Ventoux as hard as possible,” Healy said post-stage.
“I definitely had the legs to win. Maybe I should have judged my effort a bit differently because I for sure had super legs today.”
Despite the disappointment, his performance earned him the stage’s Most Combative Rider award, a fitting tribute to his fearless approach.
