Healy Dominates Stage 6 and Takes Career-Defining Win

Ben Healy (EF Education – EasyPost) conquered the hilly sixth stage of the Tour de France, spanning 201 km with more than 3,500 meters of climbing. Healy was part of an eight-man breakaway that formed over 100 km from the finish, alongside Simon Yates, Quinn Simmons, Michael Storer, Eddie Dunbar, Will Barta, Harold Tejada, and Mathieu van der Poel, who trailed leader Tadej Pogačar by 1:28 before the stage.

🏆 🇮🇪 Pure Ben Healy style!

🏆 🇮🇪 Une victoire dans le pur style Ben Healy !#TDF2025 | @Continental_fr pic.twitter.com/EHZA0N3bsc

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 10, 2025

The peloton showed little interest in chasing the breakaway, which built a lead of more than five minutes with 30 km to go, making it clear that the yellow jersey would likely change hands. In the end, the time gaps were smaller than expected, but Pogačar still lost the jersey to Van der Poel by one second.

Healy Rides Solo for Over 40 Kilometers

With 42 km to go, Healy launched a solo attack from the breakaway. Simmons and Storer tried to chase him down, but the Irishman held firm. Ten kilometers from the finish, he still had over two minutes’ advantage, leaving no doubt about his victory. At 24 years old, Healy claimed his 10th professional win and the biggest triumph of his career, moving up to eighth place overall.

Simmons finished second (+2:44) and Storer third (+2:51). Van der Poel, who faded in the finale, crossed the line in eighth place (+3:58).

“Last year, I started to believe I could do this. I worked really hard, and it all paid off. When I got into the break, we pushed hard to create a gap. I knew I had to attack and surprise the others. Once I broke free, I went all-in to the finish,” said Healy after his commanding win.

Roglič Five Seconds Behind Pogačar and Vingegaard

The favorites arrived at the finish 1:30 after the winner. Pogačar controlled the final six undulating kilometers, finishing ninth (+5:27), which cost him the yellow jersey by just one second. Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel finished with the same time, while Primož Roglič crossed the line 19th (+5:32).

Pogačar, who started the day holding the yellow, green, and polka-dot jerseys, handed over all three.

Pogačar Questions Visma’s Tactics

“We wanted to finish the stage calmly and save energy. On the penultimate climb, Visma attacked, and on the last one, Jorgenson also sprinted. It’s nice to aim for the top ten, with prize money and points, but I’m not sure what they were trying to achieve,” said Pogačar.

He questioned the strategy further: “They’re behind, but what they did today made little sense. Maybe they were frustrated after yesterday. Having two riders in the break is energy-consuming, and sprinting on both climbs didn’t seem logical. Maybe Jorgenson was hoping for a second or two.”

The Slovenian star wasn’t bothered about losing the yellow jersey. “Yesterday after the time trial, I spent an hour and a half with post-race obligations. The yellow jersey is special, but we have to think of the bigger picture and save energy,” Pogačar said.

What’s Next?

Friday’s Stage 7 runs from Saint-Malo to the summit finish at Mur-de-Bretagne (197 km). It’s a prestigious stage with limited chances for breakaways. The finale features a two-kilometer climb, including a brutal 15% ramp.