Ben Healy's Tour de France exploits - winning a stage, holding the race lead for two days and being the race's super combative rider - have meant he's been in demand on the post-Tour criterium circuit.
These are a series of very unusual races across Europe where the stars of the Tour are paid often hefty sums, at times tens of thousands of Euro, to race at local events and draw crowds.
The money is clawed back, and hopefully a profit made, by the commercial activities around the race, including serving food and drink to those present. And, in some cases, spectators are even charged to get onto the circuit to watch the race.
The riders often compete in the jerseys they won or wore during the Tour, with Healy lining out in the criterium in Lisieux, Normandy, in the yellow jersey he wore for two days on the race.
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Everyone knows the races have a fixed outcome. The crowds come along to see the big names and so it is pre-ordained that one of the really big names will cross the line in triumph.
However, Healy inadvertently pushed the 'racing model' to its limit this time around. He raced clear of the bunch solo in the closing stages and came over the finish line on his own, saluting to the crowd in victory.
He then slowed down and was about to come to a stop after the finish, even turning in the road, before the next group of riders crossed the line and passed him.
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So far, so good, you might think.
The only problem was there was still a lap to go. Ireland's Tour hero had celebrated his ‘win’ too early. And so he had to crank up the gear and go again for another lap.
Miraculously, when he came around to the finish area for the conclusion of the race, he was on his own again, with his two hands up in the air - giving the crowds what they wanted but stretching credulity in the process.
But nobody seemed to mind!
Ben Healy lève les bras trop tôt sur un criterium d'après Tour de France. ?? pic.twitter.com/x5P4CgDrPw
— Passion Cyclisme (@PassionCyclism) July 30, 2025
