Ben Healy's understated start to the season in France might seem unremarkable at first glance, but it’s a calculated move that could set the stage for something extraordinary. The EF Education-EasyPost rider, now in his fifth season as a World Tour competitor, kicked off his campaign with a pair of races in France, accompanied by his compatriot and teammate Darren Rafferty. While Healy didn’t dominate the finals of either event, he’s far from disappointed—and here’s where it gets intriguing: he’s actually kinda happy with how things have unfolded so far.
Healy openly admits that he typically struggles with his first race of the season, so his 20th-place finish at the Faun-Ardèche Classic (1.Pro) on Saturday was, in his words, a ‘pretty good performance.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: is it wise for a rider of his caliber to downplay early-season results, or is this strategic patience the key to long-term success?** The race itself was a grueling affair, with 3,400 meters of elevation gain, and was won by Paul Seixas of the Decathlon CMA CGM Team. Seixas, a rising French star, secured his second victory of the season with a commanding solo finish, 1:48 ahead of the competition. Behind him, a three-man chase group emerged, led by Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike).
Healy crossed the line 5:14 behind the winner, while Rafferty, who was on team duties supporting Healy, did not finish once his work was complete. Jamie Meehan (Cofidis), in his first full season as a pro, finished 61st, 9:54 back. The following day, at the 185km Faun Drôme Classic (1.Pro), Healy placed 44th, just 1:07 behind race winner Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United). Grégoire’s victory came after a thrilling two-man move with Jorgenson, where the duo held off a large chase group in the final kilometer.
And this is the part most people miss: Healy was part of that chase group as the climb began but faded as the road steepened. Martinez secured third place, just two seconds behind Grégoire. From an Irish perspective, Meehan finished 63rd at 6:07, while Rafferty was 119th at 13:32, giving all three riders two demanding days of racing to build their form.
Historically, Healy takes a few races to hit his stride. Last year, he finished 103rd and 30th in these same events before placing 4th at Strade Bianche (1.UWT) the following weekend, kickstarting an incredible 2025 season. This year, he’s once again targeting Strade Bianche, scheduled for next Saturday, where he’ll get a clearer picture of his early-season form. Rafferty, meanwhile, will race next at the Trofeo Laigueglia (1.Pro) in Italy on Wednesday.
Is Healy’s low-key approach a sign of weakness, or is he playing the long game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions!
