By Shane Stokes
Two years ago Ben Healy set the fastest time at the national time trial championships but had to be content with the under 23 prize due to the rules in place. Last night he got the elite jersey proper, setting what was clearly the best time on an undulating 32 kilometre course in Nenagh.
“I set the fastest time for the elites as a U23 a couple of years ago but never got to take the elite jersey because it was two different categories but on the same course and the same day,” he said. “For sure, it was nice to give it a good go and actually race for that jersey this time.”
“It is a good feeling to win something this year. Especially a first win in the EF colours is really nice. For sure it is a nice chunk of points for the team as well.”
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Healy’s EF Education-EasyPost team is in a battle for UCI points at the moment in order to ensure it will retain a place in the WorldTour. Healy has gone close to victory elsewhere this year, including a superb ride on stage five of the Tour of Norway.
That ride saw him go clear of the day’s breakaway with almost 50 kilometres remaining. He was caught by a select group close to the finish, attacking solo again and only being passed within the final 100 metres or so. He placed fifth, and was on the attack the following day.
Given his aggressive performances and near misses, taking a win was important to him and a big morale boost.
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He said that he was uncertain as to his chances prior to the 32 kilometre test. “I was a bit unsure to start with, but as soon as I set off I knew I had pretty good legs. It was a pretty hard course, a fast one as well. It was slower on the way out, so I went a bit hard and kind of suffered on the way back, but I had a positive split so it worked out all right in the end. I just suffered in to the line.”
It worked out more than all right; he dominated the race, beating TT specialist George Peden (Team PB Performance) and Eddie Dunbar (Ineos Grenadiers) by one minute 32 seconds, with those two only separated by hundredths of a second.
Healy will now be able to wear the distinctive white and green jersey in time trials for the next 12 months, something he is looking forward to.
“That is really cool. I had the jersey before but never had it at the WorldTour stage,” he said. “So to win that is a nice feeling. I am sure Rapha will do an outstanding job of designing an outstanding jersey for us.”
Healy previously won the junior and under 23 titles, so winning last night completed a rare hattrick. He has a chance to land another jersey on Sunday when he lines out in the road race championship, two years after he first won that title.
Time trial performances don’t always translate into performances in longer road races, but he believes he is in good shape.
“I was at Occitanie [La Route d’Occitanie] right before here. It was super hot. Those conditions don’t really suit me that well, so I definitely suffered through that race. But I still showed good signs. So I think the condition is quite good.
“I will go to Kanturk and ride the course tomorrow. I have heard it is quite hard. For sure I am looking forward to that. We have got a strong man Eddie [Dunbar] to beat but we will give it a good go anyway.”
