Racing
Ben Healy wins stage 5 at Itzulia Basque Country
Irish rider races 57 kilometers solo to victory from the breakaway
April 11, 2025
His arms aloft, Ben Healy savored his solo victory as he crossed the line on stage five at Itzulia Basque Country.
Ben and his EF Education-EasyPost teammate Alex Baudin got in the break of the day, working to increase the break’s advantage over the peloton as the race twisted its way across the day’s four categorized climbs. With 55 kilometers to go, Ben knew the moment was right for him to attack.
“It was a strong group,” Ben said at the finish. "We didn’t want to risk it so I went in the tailwind and I really had some good legs today and was just able to keep extending the gap and made it stick to the line.”
The Irish rider quickly opened a gap that soon stretched to two minutes. When he had the finish line in his sight, Ben glanced over his shoulder and confirmed the chasing peloton was nowhere to be found. Satisfied the win would be his, he raised his arms, inviting the crowds to celebrate alongside him.
“I knew I had good legs today and just glad I could finish it off like I did,” he said.
One stage remains in Itzulia Basque Country before Ben will turn his attention to the punchy climbs of the Ardennes. Today’s win may be a harbinger of what to expect next weekend.
“[My] shape is really good. I came here with the GC ambition but things went wrong for me the past couple of days and a bit of a shock to the system with the heat but it’s cooled down today and the form’s right there so nothing to worry about,” Ben said.
It was clear Ben enjoyed not only taking the win, but the entire stage.
“We had two guys out of six [in the break] so we knew we could play and that’s what we did,” he said.