Latest news with #YellowJersey
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ben Healy denied second Tour de France stage win on legendary Mont Ventoux
Ben Healy produced an astonishing climb up the legendary Mont Ventoux but was denied a second stage victory of this year's Tour de France by two bike lengths. The 24-year-old EF Education-EasyPost rider chased down Enric Mas on the upper slopes of the 'Bald Mountain' - the scene of some of the Tour's most famous moments. The Birmingham-born Irish cyclist was pipped on the line by French favourite Valentin Paret-Peintre in the final metres of the 171.5-kilometre stage that started in Montpellier and finished on the bare roads leading to the renowned observatory. A typically aggressive ride from Healy saw him battling to the line with Mas, Ilan Van Wilder, Santiago Buitrago and Soudal Quick-Step rider Paret-Peintre. Healy and Paret-Peintre broke from the others in the last few hundred metres and it was the home rider who won out in the final moments of another exciting stage. Healy gained one place in the general classification, jumping Carlos Rodriguez to take ninth spot. Race leader Tadej Pogacar finished fifth, 43 seconds back, gaining two seconds on his closest rival Jonas Vingegaard. Last week Healy became the fourth Irish cyclist to wear the famous Yellow Jersey, leading the Tour de France for two days, having won Stage 6 before taking the lead with a third-place finish on Bastille Day.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Mathieu van der Poel pulls out of Tour de France
Cyclist Mathieu van der Poel has been forced to abandon the Tour de France. His withdrawal is due to a diagnosis of pneumonia, following several days of cold-like symptoms that worsened. Van der Poel had enjoyed a strong Tour, twice taking the yellow jersey and securing victory on Stage 2. His team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, confirmed that his health is the top priority, requiring rest and recovery. This marks another setback for Alpecin-Deceuninck, who previously lost Jasper Philipsen to a crash.
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ireland's Ben Healy takes Yellow Jersey at Tour de France after another stunning performance
The 24-year-old becomes just the fourth Irishman to wear the Yellow Jersey after yet another brilliant display, just four days after he won Stage 6. Healy joins an illustrious list of Stephen Roche, Sean Kelly and Shay Elliott who have worn the Yellow Jersey, Healy was nominated the most combative rider of the day after forcing the initiative on the 10th stage, but British rider Simon Yates timed his break perfectly on the final climb to win a stage for the third time. Dutch rider Thymen Arensman was 9 seconds behind, while Healy finished third, 31 seconds behind Yates. Three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogačar finished further back alongside main rival Jonas Vingegaard and French rider Lenny Martinez with a gap of 4 minutes, 51 seconds. It meant that the 24-year-old Healy, who claimed his first stage victory on Thursday, took the overall lead 29-seconds ahead of Pogačar. Stage 10 took the riders on a tough 165.3-kilometer route in the Massif Central – France's south-central highland region – from Ennezat through seven category two climbs before concluding on the ascent of Puy de Sancy – the region's highest peak – after 3.3 kilometers of an 8% gradient climb. The riders can look forward to their first rest day on Tuesday.
RTÉ News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ben Healy takes yellow jersey at Tour de France after heroic third place in stage 10
Ben Healy is just the fourth Irish cyclist to wear the famous Yellow Jersey as he leads the Tour de France after 10 stages of this year's race. The 24-year-old finished third on Stage 10, 29 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogacar to lead the general classification ahead of the first rest day on Tuesday. Stephen Roche was the last Irishman to lead the Tour de France, when he won the race in 1987. Sean Kelly (1983) and Shay Eliott (1963) are the only other Irish riders to ever lead the race. Having ridden to a superb victory on Stage 6, the EF Education-EasyPost cyclist took advantage of a favourable stage profile to get himself into a large breakaway, which managed to stay well clear of the peloton as general classification favourites Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard failed to muster a fight until late in the stage. Healy took control in the closing stages of the 165.3-kilometre trip through the Central Massif from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy, taking the leading group of five over the penultimate of eight categorised climbs. Simon Yates and Ben O'Connor broke away from the Irishman at the foot of the final climb, with Thymen Arensman also getting ahead of Healy, who looked to be paying for all his hard work. However he dug in in the closing stages to consolidate third place behind stage winner Yates of Visma-Lease a Bike and Arensman of Ineos Grenadiers.
The South African
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Corona Cero Open J-Bay 2025 preview: Dates, surfers, and what's at stake
The World Surf League (WSL) makes its highly anticipated return to South Africa with the Corona Cero Open J-Bay, the 10th stop on the 2025 Championship Tour. Running from July 11 to 20, this iconic event at Jeffreys Bay serves as the penultimate stop of the regular season – and a critical opportunity for surfers chasing a coveted place in the Final 5 for the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji this September. With high stakes, world-class waves, and a packed leaderboard, J-Bay promises plenty of drama. Here's what you need to know heading into the event. After an incredible 18 years on the Championship Tour, South Africa's surfing hero Jordy Smith is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. After two CT wins and currently ranked No.1 in the world, Smith's goal is to put himself in the best position possible for the Lexus WSL Finals. As a two-time winner in Jeffreys Bay, he will be one of the favorites at Supertubes for his third CT win in front of family and friends. 'We all know J-Bay is one of the world's best waves,' said Smith. 'More importantly for me, it's a place to reconnect with old friends that I've grown up with my whole life. There's a lot less pressure I put on myself. I spend my entire off season there, I have a house on the beach, so it's a very comfortable place for me, and I can surf with ease. 'To come in wearing the Yellow Jersey is epic. It's testament to the hard work and sacrifices over the years, and we keep swinging and see how the rest of the year plays out.' As the penultimate stop of the regular season, the Corona Cero Open J-Bay has the potential to break hearts or ignite World Title dreams, as the race for the WSL Final 5 intensifies. After taking out the win at the Rio Pro, Griffin Colapinto (USA) moved up three spots up the rankings to challenge for the Final 5 cutoff, while former J-Bay winner Ethan Ewing (AUS) is holding onto fifth place. Molly Picklum (AUS) will wear the Yellow Jersey in J-Bay after her win at the Rio Pro. Picklum finished runner-up in J-Bay in 2023 to Lakey Peterson (USA) and has proven herself as a formidable threat at Supertubes. 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) has enjoyed three Finals Day appearances in J-Bay, and she's on the cusp of the Final 5 cut-off. Three more South Africans will be in the Corona Cero Open J-Bay lineup alongside Jordy Smith. Former CTer and J-Bay local Matthew McGillivray received the call up from Tours & Competition, while top ranked Challenger Series contenders Sarah Baum and Luke Thompson received the regional wildcard spots. Baum previously earned a Quarterfinals appearance as a wildcard in 2023, and won the J-Bay Classic Specialty in 2024. 'It means the world to me to get the wildcard,' said Baum. 'I surf these Challenger Series events to get to that world stage and showcase my surfing. Getting a 5th in 2023, surfing against Carissa Moore and Lakey Petersen was incredible. I hope I can ruffle a few feathers again this year.' Since being announced as the official global 0.0% alcohol beer partner of the WSL in March 2025, Corona Cero has brought a fresh energy to the Championship Tour. In the year that marks 100 years of Corona's connection to the beach, the brand's evolution at J-Bay reflects a continued commitment to more mindful ways to unwind and celebrate—without compromising on experience. The Corona Cero Open J-Bay is not only a continuation of this legacy, but also a celebration of how beach culture, surfing, and conscious living are coming together in South Africa's most iconic coastal town. 'This year marks 100 years of Corona's connection to the beach, and there's no better place to celebrate that legacy than Jeffreys Bay,' says Melanie Nicholson, Head of Brand, Corona South Africa. 'As we evolve into a new era of mindful celebration, we're proud to bring Corona Cero to one of the most iconic stops on the tour. This occasion, the Corona Cero Open J-Bay, reflects our long-standing support of the surf community and South Africa's beloved beach culture.' The Corona Cero Open J-Bay holds a competition window from 11 – 20 July 2025. The event will be broadcast LIVE on and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners. WILL YOU BE FOLLOWING/WATCHING THE CORONO CERO OPEN? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
