Britain’s Simon Yates gained stage 10 of the Tour de France on Bastille Day as Ben Healy grew to become the primary Irish rider to assert the yellow jersey for 38 years.
Yates, who triumphed in his second Grand Tour on the Giro d’Italia in June, timed his assault fantastically on the ultimate ascent of the 165.3km stage from Ennezat – Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy after being a part of a long-range breakaway.
That group of 28 riders was whittled down considerably on a punishing day by means of the Massif Central that contained eight categorised climbs, with the Visma-Lease a Bike rider pulling away from Thymen Arensman, Healy, Ben O’Connor, Michael Storer and fellow Briton Joe Blackmore within the closing phases.
“It was a extremely onerous begin to be there with loads of robust guys and that is why I took that benefit simply earlier than the ultimate climb as a result of I used to be on the lookout for a head begin,” Yates mentioned.
“It has been a very long time. I used to be probably not anticipating any alternatives right here. We got here right here absolutely centered on Jonas and the GC.
“The stage performed out in a means that I may very well be there and I took it with each arms. It isn’t simple. I’ve been getting higher day-after-day since I’ve been right here. I’ve been rising into the race.”
Ineos Grenadiers’ Dutch climber Arensman completed second, with Healy, who was born within the West Midlands, coming residence in third and leaping to the highest of the overall classification, 29 seconds forward of defending champion Tadej Pogacar.
Belgian Remco Evenepoel sits third, one minute additional again, after shedding six seconds within the closing kilometres when Pogacar accelerated and solely Jonas Vingegaard was in a position to maintain his wheel from a gaggle containing a number of GC favourites.
The Dane is fourth within the general standings, one minute and 46 seconds adrift of Healy, who had already triumphed on stage six and can turn out to be the primary Irishman to put on the maillot jaune since Stephen Roche gained the race in 1987.
“It was insanely robust. It was a battle towards myself and I needed to dig in deep and my team-mates put in a lot work for me that I actually wished to pay them again,” Healy mentioned.
“How usually do you get a chance to place your self into yellow? I needed to take that with two arms and go for it.”
There will likely be a relaxation day on Tuesday earlier than racing resumes on Wednesday with a 156.8km route round Toulouse that’s anticipated to finish in a bunch dash.
The primary large day within the Pyrenees arrives on Thursday with a visit as much as the ski resort at Hautacam.
