Ben Healy (EF Schooling-EasyPost) has but to take a win in 2024, not to mention scoop a top-three consequence, falling simply exterior the rostrum of the ultimate time trial within the Etoile de Bességes. However, in contrast up to now within the 2023 season, the Irishman is already forward of the sport.
After a promising begin within the Problem Mallorca final season, a nasty crash in Etoile de Bessèges meant that in mid-February, Healy spent six weeks out of racing with a damaged hand.
This 12 months, his early spring has been thus far incident-free forward of his principal aim of the primary half of the season, the Ardennes Classics the place he made his breakthrough final season with a second place within the Amstel Gold Race and fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Then a potential experience within the Tour de France this summer time beckons, too, though for now, that’s removed from being particular.
Throughout his season debut on the Volta ao Algarve, Healy took a promising seventeenth place on the Alto da Fóia in the primary bunch then was seventh within the stage 4 time trial.
The Alto de Malhão could go well with Healy the perfect of the 5 levels however would possibly come slightly too quickly in his season for a consequence. With a debut in WorldTour races like Tirreno-Adriatico and a return after two years to Strade Bianche, he is hoping to enhance all through the spring.
“It is only a pure development 12 months on 12 months, I’ve proved myself within the staff and amongst the peloton, and I suppose it is taking extra accountability and difficult myself a bit extra in some greater races as properly,” Healy tells Cyclingnews.
The principle goal of the primary half of 2024 – “100%” – would be the Amstel Gold Race “and the entire of the Ardennes. I am trying to go there in my finest form.”
In comparison with the highest performers in Algarve, he is been floating slightly below the radar thus far, however he is removed from being utterly out of the working, both. “My winter’s been fairly strong, I am exhibiting some good kind already. Up till now, it is fairly much like final 12 months, after all, I broke my hand early on, however the primary [underlying] kind is just about the identical.”
“Then stage 2 [to Alto da Foia] was a strong experience, I used to be pleased with it, I used to be simply lacking that additional push within the final kilometre.”
As for Saturday’s time trial, the previous Irish Nationwide TT champion – and present street race champ – completed an appropriate seventh place, transferring into sixth general. At Malhão, he might go even larger.
“The time trial was OK, I went out laborious with an formidable tempo and tried to carry it for so long as I might and I feel I did a good experience ultimately,” Healy advised Cyclingnews afterwards.
Relating to the Ardennes, Healy was happy to seek out out from Cyclingnews that there can be an additional lap of Fleche Wallonne’s defining climb, the Mur de Huy this 12 months, saying, “It is the primary I’ve heard of it, however possibly the peloton can be a bit extra diminished because of this.”
In Liège-Bastogne-Liège, fairly than getting overly involved by the presence of high names like Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates), he says, “So long as I can go there with my finest legs, I will be completely happy.”
And after that? “I have not actually bought that far within the season but,” he says .”The intention is to go to the Tour de France, however a number of guys on the staff wish to do this, so we’ll see the way it works.”
A debut on the Tour de France, notably following his beautiful Giro d’Italia stage win final 12 months at Fossombrone after a 200-kilometre breakaway, will surely be one other large step up for Healy. However for now, it is the Ardennes which can be looming the most important on his 2024 horizon.
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