Brilliant Ben Healy makes history with first Tour de France win

The 24-year-old scored a brilliant victory after launching a remarkable solo attack on Thursday’s stage six to Vire Normandie.

Healy broke free of an eight-man leading bunch which included former world champion Mathieu van der Poel with 27 miles remaining and powered his way to glory, securing a win which also catapulted him up to eighth in the overall standings.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said Healy. “It is what I have worked for, not just this year but the whole time. 

“It has been really incredible, hours and hours of hard work from so many people. To pay them back today is just really, really amazing.”

Healy, who rides under an Irish licence, also won the award for most aggressive rider of the day, having gone on the attack right from the start of 125-mile stage through Normandy.

He and American champion Quinn Simmons were eventually pegged back by the main bunch but then got clear again in a larger group which included van der Poel and Simon Yates, winner of this year’s Giro d’Italia.

But none of his rivals had an answer when Healy launched his assault on the penultimate climb of the day. The EF Pro Cycling rider continued to extend his advantage right to the line, eventually finishing nearly three minutes ahead of second-placed Simmons.

Healy, for whom this was a second Grand Tour stage win following a maiden success at the Giro two years ago, will now wear the white jersey for the highest-ranked rider aged under 25.

He said: “Last year was my first Tour and a real eye-opener, which really made me believe I could do it.

“I just knuckled down and did the hard work and tried to refine my racing style. It really paid off today.

“Maybe I spent a bit too much trying to get in the break but that is the way I do it. I knew I needed to get away from the group so I picked my moment. I think I timed it well.

“Then it was just head down and do my best right to the finish.”