By kazimladimeji 
Tour de France 2025 Mountain Stage Preview: Can Healy Hold Yellow in the High Alps?
Irish sensation Ben Healy finds himself in the yellow jersey as the 2025 Tour de France heads into the high Alps — but can he hold onto it? With a slender 29-second lead over Tadej Pogačar and serious threats from Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard, Healy now faces his toughest test yet in the mountains.
Ben Healy in Yellow: A Shock Leader After Stage 10
EF Education–EasyPost’s Ben Healy pulled off one of the most surprising GC moves of the 2025 Tour so far. After animating breakaways and riding aggressively in the Massif Central, he now leads the general classification. Known for his punchy climbing and time trialling improvements, Healy has proven he’s more than just a one-day specialist.
But with the Alps looming, questions are being asked: can he survive the likes of the Col du Galibier, Col de la Loze, and Col de l’Iseran? Or will the GC contenders behind him strike back?
Tour de France 2025 GC Standings After Stage 10
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Ben Healy | EF Education–EasyPost | — |
| 🥈 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | +0:29 |
| 🥉 | Remco Evenepoel | Soudal–Quick‑Step | +1:29 |
| 4️⃣ | Jonas Vingegaard | Visma–Lease a Bike | +1:46 |
| 5️⃣ | Matteo Jorgenson | Visma–Lease a Bike | +2:06 |
Can Healy Survive the High Alps?
Healy’s ability to climb is not in question — he has shown glimpses of brilliance on punchy climbs and medium mountains. However, multi-hour efforts over 2,000m altitude will test his endurance, recovery, and power-to-weight ratio. While his power data suggests he’s competitive, he’s never had to defend a GC lead over three brutal Alpine stages.
EF will also need to rally around him. While not traditionally a GC team, they’ve shown tactical flexibility — and now have a yellow jersey to protect.
Pogačar and Vingegaard: The Real Threat Begins
Tadej Pogačar is just 29 seconds behind and will be licking his lips at the steep gradients to come. His UAE Team Emirates squad is built for the mountains, and we can expect aggressive riding and repeated attacks.
Jonas Vingegaard, still recovering from injuries earlier in the season, sits fourth at +1:46. While he hasn’t looked as sharp as in previous years, the high Alps are his natural hunting ground. His teammate Matteo Jorgenson is close behind and could serve as a climbing domestique or even a co-leader.
Questions are now swirling around Vingegaard’s status. If he falters again, will Visma–Lease a Bike switch their focus to Jorgenson?
Could We See Alliances Form Against Pogačar?
Pogačar remains the favourite — but with Healy in yellow and Vingegaard still not at full strength, a tactical alliance could emerge. Healy may have every incentive to work with Vingegaard or Evenepoel to keep Pogačar in check on key climbs.
If Pogačar isolates himself too early, the others could take advantage of numbers — though whether they can match his pure climbing power is another matter.
Final Thoughts: Will Healy Crack or Climb?
Healy has earned his yellow jersey with guts and tactical smarts. But now, the mountains will determine if he’s a future Grand Tour contender or a brilliant opportunist enjoying his moment in the sun.
Whatever happens, the 2025 Tour de France has just kicked into high gear — and fans are in for an Alpine showdown that could define the race.