HEARTBREAK FOR BEN

Healy so close to a second stage victory

- MICHAEL SCULLY

BEN Healy came agonisingly close to a second Tour de France stage victory in just 12 days but had to settle for second on Mont Ventoux.

The return of Le Tour to the spectacular finish in Provence for the first time in 11 years delivered a thrilling finish.

Healy (24), made his final move inside the last kilometre to the summit as he tried to shake off three pursuers.

But the Irish rider couldn't hold off Valentin ParetPeintre, who passed him just before the finish line to become France's first stage winner in this year's Tour.

Nonetheless, it was another exceptional day for the EF Education-EasyPost cyclist on the 171.5 kilometre stage, adding even more lustre to a performance that saw him wear the yellow jersey for two days last week.