Ben Healy is out of the Ardennes Classics after a broken bone was diagnosed since his crash almost two weeks ago (Photo: Massimo Paolone)
Irish rider Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) has suffered a major blow after being forced to miss the Ardennes Classics, where he has performed so well in recent years.
As reported by stickybottle last week, Healy crashed during his TT recon ride at Itzulia Basque Country (2.UWT) but was able to start the race.
He appeared to grow stronger through the week, going on the attack on the final three stages. And as the event drew to a close, it appeared to had not only shaken off the injuries, but had progressed significantly.
However, though the pain from the crash eased through the race, it has worsened in the days since. And now an MRI scan has revealed he suffered an undisplaced mid-sacral fracture.
Though he will not require surgery, he will be out of competition for the next three to four weeks. It is a setback for Healy, though he has plenty of time to recover and get back into action.
He can still target a big performance at the Tour de France, where he won a stage and wore the yellow jersey for two days last year.
The Irishman suffered the crash when he was riding at about 50kmph and hit a spectator crossing the road on the TT course. He was in the skis feeling his way into the TT to come.
“This week, Ben’s pain increased, so we decided to take him for an MRI,” said EF Pro Cycling head doctor Jon Greenwell. “Those scans came back with a non-displaced sacral fracture that will not require surgery.
“Since he is unable to ride comfortably, we decided that it is best for him to have some time off to prevent any long term complications or other injuries that might occur whilst trying to work around this injury.
“Ben should be back on his bike in about two weeks to begin his preparations for the Tour,” he added of Healy, who had been all set to ride the Ardennes but will now travel home to begin his rehab process.
Healy first made his mark at the Ardennes Classics in 2023, his second year as a World Tour rider, when he took 2nd at Amstel Gold Race (1.UWT) and 4th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège (1.UWT).
Last season he was 10th at Amstel Gold Race, 5th at La Flèche Wallonne (1.UWT) and 3rd in Liège, his first monument podium.