'He's a credit to the region' - Ben Healy's first cycling coach tells of Tour de France pride

After starting his cycling journey aged seven at Halesowen Athletics and Cycling Club, Healy joined Solihull Cycling after his 11th birthday in a bid to kick on with his dreams of going professional - a feat he achieved in 2021 at Trinity Racing.

Despite his rapid rise Healy remained a familiar face around Halesowen, regularly returning to compete in club races and catch up with friends and former clubmates. 

One of the most influential people in his career is David Feiven, coach at Halesowen Cycling and Ben's first mentor at the club, and he told the Express & Star he could not be prouder of the success his former student has achieved.

"Ben started when he was quite young and was always very good," he said. "It's easy to be wise in hindsight but actually he always had something about him.

"He was quiet, but not in an introverted way. Sometimes young lads can be a bit silly but he never was, just a really nice lad who was always smiling.

"Ben was sociable with everyone and a nice kid to coach, very attentive and focused. I like coaching most kids but there was just something about him.

"Even at quite a young age his riding style was astonishing, always combative and attacking.

"He was never prepared to just sit back with the rest of the kids and trundle around, he always wanted to give it a real good go and you can see that with his riding style now. The way he won the stage and defended the yellow jersey was amazing."

A keen rider himself, Feiven moved to Birmingham in 1993 and began coaching at Halesowen Cycling shortly before Ben arrived for the first time nearly 20 years ago.

"I still coach kids there now and it's extremely rewarding. Who knows, maybe we'll produce another superstar," he said. "Some people have just got 'it' and Ben has 'it,' just that ability to go and go again and again.

"Ben's an international superstar, he really is.

"He's very combative but not overly so that it becomes unpleasant, he just liked riding a bike and if you're racing a bike you want to win.

"Ben just loved it, he loved riding his bike and I don't think you get to where he's got in life without that single-mindedness and dedication.

"He wasn't winning everything when he was younger and I think that's a bit of the secret to his success because it meant he developed as a rider rather than having too much early glory.

"He's a real success and a huge credit to the region. He's remembered his roots too which is encouraging and fulfilling, and I'm incredibly proud to have played a small part in his journey."