Racing
Ben Healy solos to Irish national championship title
The breakaway artist rode alone for 100 kilometers to take the win
June 25, 2023
Ben Healy won the Irish national champion’s jersey with style today.
Ben rode away from an elite group with 100 kilometers left in the title race and stayed away all the way to the finish. He had attacked the first time up the Killylass climb, when the peloton hit the circuit. Only 15 could follow. The next time up, he went again. This time, five could hold his wheel. The next time up, no one could match his acceleration. Ben time trialed for four laps. When he crossed the finish line and claimed his orange, white, and green shirt, second place was over four minutes behind him.
“It’s going to be super awesome to wear this jersey this year,” Ben said after the podium. “The last time I had it, I was a U23, and now to finally wear it in the WorldTour means a lot. Hopefully, I can do it justice.”
From the start, Ben was determined to ride his own race. Although he was without teammates, he trusted the strength in his legs.
“For me, it was a matter of attacking aggressively,” Ben said. “They were not really coordinating in the group well and in the end they let me go. I just paced my effort to the finish and it was enough in the end. Now, I’m here with the jersey and I can be happy with that!”
This is Ben’s fourth victory this season. After wins at Coppi e Bartali, the GP Industria & Artigianato, and a stage of the Giro d’Italia, and his breakout performances in the Ardennes classics, no one doubts that he is the revelation of 2023. Ben recently signed a multiyear deal to stay with our team.
We’re so excited to watch him race in the Bratach na hÉireann shirt.