Ben Healy Primed for Tour de France Breakthrough as Temperatures Cool

EF Education-EasyPost rider Ben Healy expects a return to his aggressive attacking style during the second half of the 2026 Tour de France as temperatures are predicted to drop. According to Cyclingnews, Healy has been stifled by a persistent heatwave since the race began in Barcelona, which he describes as his primary physiological weakness.

Healy, who secured a stage victory and gained significant visibility during the 2025 Tour de France, has remained largely anonymous in the current edition. He told Cyclingnews that the high temperatures, which have rarely dipped below the mid-30s, have prevented him from executing the repeated accelerations that define his racing style.

The Irishman explained that the heat impairs his ability to recover between high-intensity efforts, forcing him to limit his output to avoid total exhaustion.

The heat is my Achilles heel really. When I have big swings in performance, it’s always because of the heat. I do everything I can, you know, but, yeah, just some of us aren’t built for it.

Ben Healy via Cyclingnews

Healy added that when he is missing even a small percentage of his typical capacity, it becomes apparent quickly, leaving him with little choice but to listen to his body and hold back.

Breakaway Activity and Team Dynamics

Despite being labeled the best breakaway rider in the world by EF Education-EasyPost manager Jonathan Vaughters, Healy has only successfully infiltrated one breakaway so far in the 2026 race. This occurred on stage 10 during the transit through the Massif Central, where he was part of a 30-man group that went clear.

Healy played a supporting role during that stage as teammate Richard Carapaz attacked for the win. That effort was eventually neutralized by Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG, who shifted the stage into a general classification showdown.

Healy told Cyclingnews he does not believe he has lost many opportunities, noting that riding in the gruppetto has prevented him from accumulating excessive fatigue.

Going into the rest day this year was probably the freshest I’ve ever felt on a rest day in a Grand Tour, so I haven’t done too much damage to the body, and hopefully that’ll pay dividends in the second half of the race.

Ben Healy via Cyclingnews

Outlook for the Vosges and Alps

The timing of a predicted temperature drop aligns with terrain that suits Healy’s strengths. The upcoming schedule includes two medium mountain stages in the Vosges and a summit finish at Plateau de Solaison in the Alps.

Healy stated to Cyclingnews that he feels his body is ready to race as the weather cools. He believes the lack of early-race exertion combined with the changing climate creates an ideal window for him to begin attacking again.