EF Education-EasyPost signs ideal leader Ben Healy for long term
Ben Healy will continue racing for EF Education-EasyPost in the coming years. The Irishman has extended his contract, which was set to expire at the end of the current season, until the end of 2029.
Healy turned professional with EF Education-EasyPost in 2022. After becoming Irish national time trial champion in his debut season, he broke through on the international stage in the spring. He secured a stage win at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali (2.1), but made an even bigger impact with podium finishes in the hilly classics: second in the Brabantse Pijl, second in the Amstel Gold Race (behind Tadej Pogacar), and fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He then also took a stage victory in the Giro d'Italia.
So far, Healy has ten professional wins to his name. Last year, the natural attacker won a stage in both the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour de France. Moreover, he also wore the yellow jersey during the Tour de France.
The right type of team leader
At EF Education-EasyPost, they are more than happy to have Healy on their roster. “Ben is exactly the type of team leader we are looking for,” says team manager Jonathan Vaughters in a statement on the team website. “He is thoughtful and always seeking to improve. And most importantly: he is always willing to take risks. Our team has always been built around the outsider who dares to take a chance. Ben is that rider.”
The 25-year-old himself mainly wants to keep setting a good example for his (young) teammates. "I want to keep approaching things the way I always have. I love the process of getting better. After a few weeks without the bike in winter, I was so eager to start again. I find that incredibly fulfilling. Standing here now with the palmarès I have makes me extremely proud. I have grown immensely as a rider and truly refined my craft. I have never lost my hunger.”
