Yates wins stage 10 as Irishman Healy grabs Yellow Jersey

24-year-old Ben Healy made history on Monday by becoming the first Irishman since Stephen Roche in 1987 to wear the prestigious yellow jersey at the Tour de France

Healy's relentless performance across the grueling hills of the Massif Central not only solidified his status as a rising star in cycling but also overshadowed the day’s stage winner, Simon Yates.

Healy, riding for EF Education-EasyPost, had already made headlines with his stage six victory in Normandy, but his ride on Monday was nothing short of extraordinary. He executed a series of powerful attacks that whittled down the escape group from 30 riders to just five, showcasing his tenacity and skill on the bike. His efforts earned him the combativity award for the most attacking rider of the day, a testament to his aggressive racing style.

“Hats off to him, he's the one that dropped everyone,” Yates remarked, acknowledging Healy's pivotal role in the day's action. Yates himself claimed victory on the final climb, finishing 31 seconds ahead of Healy, who came in third. Despite not winning the stage, Healy's strategic riding allowed him to take the overall lead, finishing with a time that leaves him 29 seconds ahead of defending champion Tadej Pogacar.

Healy, born in Birmingham but representing Ireland since his youth, is only the fourth Irishman to wear the yellow jersey, following in the footsteps of cycling legends Shay Elliott, Sean Kelly, and Stephen Roche. He also currently leads the competition for the white jersey, awarded to the best young rider.

“This yellow is more for the team who worked so hard to put me here, but the stage win possibly means more as it came first,” Healy said after crossing the line, reflecting on the significance of his achievements. He had a tense wait for Pogacar to finish, who crossed the line 4 minutes and 51 seconds behind, thereby relinquishing the overall lead.

As the race favorites Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard crossed the line together, the overall standings saw Pogacar in second place, with Belgian Remco Evenepoel in third, trailing Healy by 1 minute and 29 seconds. Denmark's double Tour de France champion, Vingegaard, is currently in fourth place, 1 minute and 46 seconds behind Healy.

In a nod to the host nation on Bastille Day, Lenny Martinez of France claimed the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey, adding to the day's excitement and national pride.

With a rest day on Tuesday, the riders will prepare for Wednesday's stage 11, expected to favor sprinters as they head towards Toulouse.

2025 Tour de Francve Stage 10 Top 10

1. Simon Yates (Gbr) Visma-Lease a Bike, in 4:20:05
2. Thymen Arensman (Ned) Ineos Grenadiers, +9s
3. Ben Healy (Ire) EF Education-EasyPost, +31s
4. Ben O'Connor (Aus) Jayco AlUla, +39
5. Michael Storer (Aus) Tudor Pro Cycling, +1:23
6. Joe Blackmore (Gbr) Israel-Premier Tech, +3:57
7. Anders Halland Johanssen (Nor) Uno-X Mobility, +4:38
8. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Bahrain Victorious, +4:51
9. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates-XRG
10. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Visma-Lease a Bike, both at same time

2025 Tour de France GC after Stage 10

1. Ben Healy (Ire) EF Education-EasyPost, in 37:41:49
2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirate-XRG, +29s
3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step, +1:29
4. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Visma-Lease a Bike, +1:17
5. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Visma-Lease a Bike, +1:34
6. Kévin Vauquelin (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Hotels, +1:46
7. Oscar Onley (GBr) Picnic PostNL, +3:24
8. Florian Lipowitz (Ger) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, +3:34
9. Primož Roglic (Slo) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, +3:41
10. Tobias Halland Johanssen (Nor) Uno-X Mobility, +5:06