Ben Healy delivered a remarkable solo performance to claim victory in stage six of the 2025 Tour de France, while Mathieu van der Poel reclaimed the coveted yellow jersey. The Irish rider launched a decisive attack with 42 kilometers remaining, breaking away from an eight-man group that had led most of the hilly 201.5km stage.
The day began with high temperatures and a relentless pace. Riders tackled six categorized climbs along the route from Bayeux to Vire Normandie, with the peloton maintaining an aggressive average speed of 47km/h in the opening hours. Among the breakaway group were notable names including Van der Poel, Simon Yates, and Eddie Dunbar, the latter making his Tour debut. Healy and Quinn Simmons were the first to break clear before being joined by the others, forming a tight lead group that gained a lead of nearly four minutes on the main pack.
Healy made his move on a flat section just ahead of the final three climbs. By the time he hit the next ascent, he had built a lead of 47 seconds, a margin he steadily widened as the race progressed. Riding with determination and precise timing, he crossed the finish line almost three minutes ahead of his nearest chasers, Simmons and Michael Storer. His commanding effort earned him his first Tour stage victory, having previously won a Grand Tour stage at the Giro d’Italia in 2023.
Reflecting on his achievement, Healy shared that he had been eyeing this particular stage since the route was announced. His prior experience in the 2024 Tour, where he often joined breakaways and finished 27th overall, bolstered his belief in his ability to compete at the highest level. This year, his preparation and perseverance paid off spectacularly.
Van der Poel, who had surrendered the yellow jersey to Tadej Pogacar after the previous day’s time trial, finished eighth on the stage, four minutes behind Healy. Despite suffering cramps in the closing stretch, he managed to gain just enough time on Pogacar to reclaim the overall lead by a single second.
It was a strong day for Irish cycling, with Dunbar finishing fourth, marking only the second time that two Irish riders placed in the top five of a Tour stage. This victory also marked Ireland’s 15th stage win in Tour de France history and the first since 2020.
Looking ahead, the race continues with a 197km route from Saint-Malo to Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan—familiar ground for Van der Poel, who secured his first Tour stage win there in 2021. As the competition intensifies, Healy’s bold ride and Van der Poel’s resilience have set the tone for an electrifying remainder of the Tour.
