Irish star Healy powers to the yellow jersey

IRELAND'S Ben Healy has taken the yellow jersey in the Tour de France after a powerhouse Bastille Day Stage Ten ride.

- By DEREK FOLEY

Healy said: "I'm just super proud to represent Ireland and wear the yellow jersey for them and hopefully I think I can do it some justice."

Having been prominent in an early break, Healy spent most of the day in virtual yellow.

With a minute to defend on a steep climb some 2.5km out from the finish and in danger of being swamped, the Irish Olympian stayed in the fight and finished third overall.

The UK's Simon Yates took the stage win with Dutchman Thymen Arensman second some nine seconds back and Healy 31 seconds behind.

It left Healy in yellow on 37hrs 41mins 49secs and three times winner Tadej Pogacar 29 seconds back with Remco Evenepoel at one minute 29 seconds.

"What a performance by Ben Healy first of all," said Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly as Healy crossed the line. "And we had seen Pogacar going with a really big attack there in the earlier part of the climb but then knocked it off.

"I'm sure he got information from his Director Sportif 'you do not have to ride here, you know it's going to be very close to the yellow jersey, let's not push on and allow Ben Healy, after the performance he put in, go.

"I think the teams recognised that, we can see here, over there, realised that he was taking over the other jersey.

"This was the performance of his life for Ben Healy. We've seen doing magnificent things before but today was another step up."

The 24 year-old Healy was born near Birmingham. His grandparents on his father Bryan's side are from Waterford and Cork and moved to London in the 1960s.