Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) has said he was losing a battle with fatigue this time last year, though some of his biggest goals were approaching. And he has taken a new approach to recent months in a bid not to repeat that 2024 scenario.
Though he has already taken 4th in Strade Bianche, Healy's first months of the campaign have been more subdued compared with recent years. He had a much later start to the season and has had fewer race days as he builds towards Itzulia Basque Country next week and then, of course, the Ardennes.
“ I’ve gone for less racing early in the season, because last year it felt like I was just losing a battle against fatigue by the time I got around to the Ardennes," he said. "I don’t want to say I wasn't at a good level.
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"I just wasn't at my best and the dream is to win Liège. It’s the biggest of them and the grand finale to the classics season.”
In 2023 he was one of pro cycling's riders of the spring, finishing 2nd in both Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race and then going on to 4th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, having already taken two early season wins.
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However, last year's Ardennes classics did not go as well, with 27th in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, his best result. And that has brought about the change in approach. However, though he is aiming for results at the Ardennes, he says the only pressure on him is self-inflicted.
“I enjoy it and continue to enjoy it whether I'm racing at the front or helping teammates. I just want to do well in bike races," he said. "Going up a climb like, La Redoute, just looking at that big steep wall in front of you with screaming legs and screaming crowds is awesome.”
He added he was also now focused on aiming for general classification in stage races, and will get his next chance next week.
“At Tirreno, we were down to a small team and I had an Olympic champion as well as an ex-world champion tuned in to really try and get me to the best place. That is just a privilege and something that I can only appreciate," he said.
“I think that the next step in my career is to start targeting GC more. I'm not sure how far I can go with that yet, but this is definitely the start of that.”
