In a thrilling Stage 6 of the 2024 Tour de France, 24-year-old Irish rider Ben Healy powered away on a 201.5 km course from Bayeux to Vire Normandie. Battling six climbs and a ramping 10% finish, Healy broke free for a long solo and claimed his first Tour victory.
'A stage win in the Tour is just unbelievable, it's what I've worked for,' Healy said. 'Participating in the Tour is already an achievement and to win a stage is just so, so amazing.'
Healy's effort was unmatched, crossing the finish two minutes 44 seconds ahead of American Quinn Simmons, with Australia's Michael Storer another seven seconds back in third.
Meanwhile, Dutch all-rounder Mathieu van der Poel seized the yellow jersey from defending champion Tadej Pogacar by a razor-thin one-second margin. Van der Poel, who finished eighth on the stage, said, 'I would have loved to have a bit more than one second, but I'm happy to have it again. I'll try my best to recover…'
Despite Pogacar's late acceleration, the defending champion could only take ninth place on the day. Two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard sits fifth overall after finishing 10th.
With summer heat and steep finishes testing the peloton, the battle for yellow promises more drama and daring breakaways in the stages to come.
Reference(s):
Healy wins Stage 6 of Tour de France, Van der Poel takes yellow jersey
cgtn.com
