Simon Yates Secures Epic Tour de France Stage 10 Triumph
A Masterful Display on Bastille Day
Simon Yates delivered a performance for the ages on Bastille Day, claiming a thrilling victory in Stage 10 of the Tour de France after a grueling battle through the Massif Central. The British rider, fresh off his Giro d’Italia triumph in June, showcased his tactical brilliance and climbing prowess to outlast a strong breakaway group in the final ascent of the 165.3km route from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Ben Healy made history by seizing the yellow jersey, becoming the first Irishman to lead the general classification in 38 years—since Stephen Roche’s legendary 1987 victory.
How Simon Yates Seized Victory
Stage 10 was designed to test the peloton, featuring eight brutal categorized climbs that shattered the field early. Yates, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, positioned himself perfectly in a breakaway of 28 riders, but as the kilometers ticked by, the group dwindled under relentless pressure.
In a decisive move just before the final climb, Yates launched a calculated attack, distancing elite competitors like Thymen Arensman, Ben O’Connor, and fellow Briton Joe Blackmore. His powerful surge secured a hard-fought victory by nine seconds over Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers), with Healy crossing third at 31 seconds back.
Reflecting on his triumph, Yates admitted it wasn’t part of the original plan:
We came here fully focused on Jonas [Vingegaard] and the GC, but the stage unfolded in a way that allowed me to take my chance. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an opportunity like this, and I grabbed it with both hands.
Ben Healy’s Historic Yellow Jersey
While Yates claimed the stage, the day belonged to Ireland’s Ben Healy in a broader sense. The EF Education-EasyPost rider, born in the West Midlands but racing under the Irish flag, earned his place in cycling lore by taking the yellow jersey. His relentless effort saw him finish third on the stage while leapfrogging overwhelming favorites like Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in the overall standings.
Healy now leads the Tour de France by 29 seconds over defending champion Pogacar, with Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel a further minute back. Vingegaard lost time in a late surge by Pogacar but remains fourth, trailing Healy by 1:46.
Today was insanely tough—a battle against myself, Healy said. My teammates sacrificed so much for me, and I wanted to repay them. You don’t get many chances to wear yellow, so I gave everything.
Key Moments in a Brutal Stage
The race saw multiple dramatic twists:
– Breakaway Decimated Early: The 28-rider group lost half its members as climbs like the Col de la Moréno took their toll.
– Pogacar’s Late Attack: The Slovenian champion accelerated in the final kilometers, but only Vingegaard could follow, isolating Evenepoel and other GC contenders.
– Arensman’s Resurgence: The Dutch climber’s second-place finish marked a strong rebound after early struggles in the race.
Looking Ahead: The Pyrenees Await
After a well-deserved rest day, riders face a relatively flat 156.8km stage around Toulouse, likely ending in a sprint finish. But the real drama will unfold on Thursday when the Tour de France heads into the Pyrenees. The iconic climb to Hautacam could shake up the general classification once more, testing Healy’s ability to defend yellow against Pogacar and Vingegaard’s resurgence.
Stage 10 Results (Top 10)
1. Simon Yates (GB/Visma-Lease a Bike) – 4h 22’14”
2. Thymen Arensman (Ned/Ineos Grenadiers) +9
3. Ben Healy (Ire/EF Education-EasyPost) +31
4. Ben O’Connor (Aus/Jayco AlUla) +49
5. Michael Storer (Aus/Tudor Pro Cycling) +1’23”
General Classification After Stage 10
1. Ben Healy (Ire/EF Education-EasyPost) – 37h 41’49”
2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +29
3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) +1’29”
4. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +1’46”
Final Thoughts
Yates’ Tour de France stage win reaffirmed his status as one of the sport’s most intelligent climbers, while Healy’s ascent to yellow injected fresh excitement into the race. As the peloton braces for the Pyrenees, one thing is clear: this edition of the Tour de France is far from decided. The battle for supremacy between Pogacar, Vingegaard, and a daring underdog in yellow promises unforgettable drama in the coming days.
