Having enjoyed an incredible trajectory since turning pro at the start of 2022, Ben Healy is now front and centre of EF Education-EasyPost's drive to find a new title sponsor in its bid to become "the world's biggest cycling team".
His positive demeanour, coupled with the manner of his riding, means he has become as much as talismanic figure for the team as Richard Carapaz. And he's done it from scratch over a period of just a few short years.
Now with a new, bigger, long-term contract in place with the team, to the end of 2029, Healy has reflected on his time as a pro to date and looked ahead to what might come next.
“I just need to continue being myself,” he said, as he prepares for 2026 after last year wearing the Tour de France yellow jersey, as well as winning a stage on that race. He also took bronze at a World Championships for the ages, claimed a first Monument podium with 3rd at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, raced to 4th at Strade Bianche and placed 5th at La Flèche Wallonne.
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He said the decision to commit his future to his current team was an easy one.
“I’m close mates with the guys on the team, and that creates an infectious atmosphere that brings everyone closer together. It’s not just us guys, it’s everyone, all the staff.
"There’s not a race or a training camp you go to where you are disappointed to be there. It’s always good fun and the dinner table’s always a great laugh. We spend so many days on the road, so that is super important. It makes you work that bit harder for each other."
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Clockwise from top left | Taking bronze at the Worlds in Rwanda, in Tour de France yellow, winning stage 6 at the Tour, in Irish champion's kit in 2023 (Photos by Xavier Pereyron, Szymon Gruchalski-Cor Vos and Tom Jungbluth)
And he is up for leaning into the leader’s role at the team he has carved out for himself, through his personality as much as his results.
“I want to lead by example. I want to go about it how I always have done. I love the process of getting better. Coming out of the offseason, after not riding my bike for a couple of weeks, I was so excited to get back into that process. I find it so rewarding.
"To be here in this position with the palmarès that I have is something I’m super proud of. I have grown so much as a rider and really refined my craft. I’ve never lost the hunger for it.
“When I first joined the team, I might have seemed like a crazy guy, but there’s obviously something to it and we’ve worked well together. A big part of that from my side was definitely my coach, Jacob Tipper, who is here on the team now as well.
"For sure, we’re moving in a really nice direction with ASSOS and our Cannondale bikes. To be honest, it can’t get much better. The racing is just a bonus at the end.
“Getting to that place where I know I can go compete with the best is what motivates me. I enjoy racing and I enjoy being at the front of a race, but if you don’t put in the work, you’re not going to be there.
"The wins are obviously amazing, but it’s just getting to the point where you are able to race and compete to win those races that drives me.”
