Cycling fans, brace yourselves for a surprising take on Ben Healy's season opener! While many expected a blazing start, Healy himself is surprisingly content with his low-key debut in France. But here's where it gets intriguing: is this a strategic move or a sign of things to come? Let's dive in.
Ben Healy, the seasoned World Tour rider for EF Education-EasyPost, kicked off his fifth professional season with a pair of races in France, joined by fellow Irishman and teammate Darren Rafferty. Though Healy didn't dominate the finals, he remained unfazed, explaining that his performance aligned with his expectations. He even admitted to typically struggling with the first race of the season, making his 20th-place finish at the Faun-Ardèche Classic (1.Pro) on Saturday a solid start in his book. "I'm kinda happy with how it went," he shared, a sentiment that might raise eyebrows among those expecting fireworks from the start.
The Faun-Ardèche Classic, with its grueling 3,400 meters of elevation gain, was a race-breaker, ultimately won by the rising French star Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team). Seixas, whose career is skyrocketing, secured his second victory of the season with a commanding 1:48 solo lead. He finished well ahead of a trio of chasers: Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike).
Healy crossed the line 20th, 5:14 behind the winner, while Rafferty, focused on supporting Healy, did not finish once his team duties were complete. Jamie Meehan (Cofidis), in his first full pro season, placed 61st, 9:54 back.
The following day, the trio of Irish riders returned to action at the 185km Faun Drôme Classic (1.Pro). Healy finished 44th, just 1:07 behind race winner Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United). Grégoire's victory was a masterclass in timing, as he surged ahead in the final kilometer after a two-man breakaway with Jorgenson, holding off the chasing pack by a slim margin.
And this is the part most people miss: Healy was part of that chasing group as the climb began but couldn't maintain his position as the gradient steepened. Martinez secured third place, just two seconds behind Grégoire. From an Irish perspective, Meehan finished 63rd at 6:07, and Rafferty 119th at 13:32, giving all three riders a solid two days of intense racing.
Historically, Healy takes a few races to hit his stride. Last year, he placed 103rd and 30th in these same events before exploding into form with a 4th-place finish at Strade Bianche (1.UWT) the following weekend, setting the stage for his remarkable 2025 season. This year, he’s once again slated to race Strade Bianche next Saturday, where he’ll get a clearer picture of his early-season form. Rafferty, meanwhile, heads to Italy for the Trofeo Laigueglia (1.Pro) on Wednesday.
But here’s the controversial question: Is Healy’s relaxed approach a sign of confidence or complacency? Some might argue that starting slow is a strategic move, allowing him to peak later in the season. Others might wonder if he’s leaving too much to chance. What do you think? Is Healy’s low-key start a smart play, or should he be pushing harder from the get-go? Let’s spark some debate in the comments!
