Ben Healy falls agonisingly short of victory on legendary Tour de France climb
Ben Healy was denied a famous Tour de France victory on Mont Ventoux in agonising fashion as he was beaten on the line by Valentin Paret-Peintre.
The 24-year-old from Wordsley was just metres away from adding the finest chapter yet to his young career at the summit of one of the world’s most iconic climbs.
But Paret-Peintre came past at the last to snatch the victory, the first by a French rider in this year’s race.
Healy has already enjoyed an historic Tour, becoming the first cyclist from the Black Country to ever win a stage, before then becoming the first to ever wear the yellow jersey.
But a victory on the Ventoux, which rises to nearly 2,000 metres in altitude and has been scene for so many famous moments in the sport, would have surpassed everything which came before it.
On a frenetic stage through Provence, largely flat until the giant climb at the finish, Healy found himself in the second leading group but along with Paret-Peintre was able to bridge the gap to leader Enrique Mas when the road began going uphill.
Heading into the final few kilometres it became clear the race for victory was between the two, yet neither was able to shake the other.
Healy kicked first in the final sprint but Paret-Peintre was able to hold the wheel and came through with just a few pedal strokes remaining.
He claimed the biggest prize, yet Healy still took a consolation prize of being named the day’s most combative rider, while he now sits an impressive ninth overall in the general classification.
