On July 10, 2025, Ben HEALY (EF Education-EasyPost) claimed his first-ever stage victory in the Tour de France, riding solo between Bayeux and Vire-Normandie. A landmark moment for Irish cycling… and a reminder for those in the know: this isn’t the first time the young puncher has shone on an international stage.
Six years ago, it was at the Tour de l’Avenir, a veritable springboard for tomorrow’s champions, that Ben HEALY revealed himself, winning brilliantly in Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, wearing the colors of the World Cycling Centre (WCC).
2025: A prestigious success on the Tour de France
At 24, HEALY has made a big impact. After more than 100 kilometers in a breakaway, he broke away alone 42 km from the finish, never to be caught again, crossing the line with a lead of nearly 3 minutes over his pursuers. His victory, controlled from start to finish, highlighted his attacking spirit, endurance, and tactical courage. He thus became the seventh Irishman to raise his arms in the Tour de France, in an offensive style reminiscent of the glory days of Stephen Roche or Sean Kelly.
Back in 2019: the emergence of the Tour de l’Avenir
But for those who follow cycling closely, this success is merely confirmation of a potential that was detected early on. In August 2019, Healy won the 5th stage of the Tour de l’Avenir, between Espalion and Saint-Julien-Chapteuil. At the time, he wore the jersey of the World Cycling Centre (WCC), the UCI’s training team that brings together young talents from around the world each year.
This victory, achieved at just 19 years old in a demanding stage, already demonstrated his ability to attack over the long haul and dominate his opponents. The Tour de l’Avenir, often nicknamed the “Under-23 Tour de France,” has seen the likes of POGACAR, BERNAL, GAUDU, and AYUSO. By competing for the WCC, HEALY joined the ranks of future stars of the world peloton.
A clear link between training and elite performance
The Tour de l’Avenir plays a crucial role in identifying future great riders. Moreover, the World Cycling Center, a true talent incubator, allows young riders from diverse backgrounds (Ireland, Africa, Asia, Latin America, etc.) to emerge at the highest level. HEALY’s victory in 2019 illustrates the relevance of this structure and confirms the importance of these training stages in the development of a professional rider.
From Local to World
From Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, a small village in Haute-Loire, to Vire Normandie, the setting for the most prestigious of the Tours, Ben Healy has charted a clear trajectory: that of a rider forged by U23 races and supported by a global training system. His victory yesterday is not only a performance of the present, but also the culmination of work begun several years ago in the UCI ranks.
In short, Ben Healy’s victory in the Tour de France is a fitting tribute to the international scouting system.
It underlines the importance of structures like the WCC and events like the Tour de l’Avenir, which have now become true pillars of world cycling.
