Ben Healy was below par on the Tour de France when the temperatures soared, but he rode and incredibly aggressive second half of the three-week race (Photo: Thomas Maheux)
Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) has said illness took more out of him on that Tour de France than he realised at the time, but the Irish rider's team has said he was the man who turned the race in their favour in the final week.
Healy went on the attack for the last nine road stages, including in Paris yesterday, demonstrating his quality at the front of the race despite not having the form he wanted, something he has been reflecting on.
"It was a pretty long, hard three weeks, but nice," said Healy. "It's my first Grand Tour with all eight riders still on the bus, so it's nice we'll be able to celebrate together. It's been a successful one, and just a good, good, fun three weeks.
"It's been a bit of a rough year for me. I had a bit of sickness after the Dauphiné, which I think affected me more than I thought," he added.
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“But to turn it around and still be there in the last week, helping the boys, and ultimately helping get a couple of stage wins for Richie as well, is super good. I am just happy I could do it.
"Richie's win was definitely one of my favourite memories. It was just the pure relief for everyone – moments like that are so good.
"It was nice to be on the other side, trying to put the other guys under pressure. It was just nice to be there and be able to help Richie.
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"We had this never-give-up, always-fighting attitude. We all believed, stayed positive, kept working hard – and I think the last couple of days have shown what that can achieve.
"You've just got to keep pushing and keep fighting. It's been great to work with everyone, and ultimately it worked out in the end."
Healy was badly hit by the soaring temperatures on the Tour, especially the first half, and also said he felt he was a few per cent off his peak condition.
He had missed a couple of months of racing after a crash at Itzulia Basque Country (2.UWT) in April. And when he returned to racing at Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (2.UWT), formerly the Dauphine, he fell ill and had to withdraw.
However, he went on the attack for the final eight road stages, often pulling breakaways along in the hope his team mate, Richard Carapaz, could win a stage.
He won two stages in the last four days of the race, and also claimed the climbers' classification. EF Education-EasyPost sports director, Charly Wegelius, said while all the team played their part, it was easy to see the influence Healy had.
"Ben was here after a great Tour last year, with a lot of attention on him," he said. "And in the last days, when we were talking about constructing things for Richie, he was one of the voices on the bus reinforcing to all of us how we needed to do it and why.
"He was fully behind it, and he laid it down for Richie on several occasions. That's what we mean when we say team first."
