Ireland's Ben Healy delivered a breathtaking performance to win stage six of the Tour de France, marking his first stage victory in this prestigious event. The EF Education-EasyPost rider executed a solo breakaway with 42 kilometers remaining, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of his closest competitors, Quinn Simmons and Michael Storer.

Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck reclaimed the yellow jersey, edging out reigning champion Tadej Pogacar by a mere second. Van der Poel's strategic efforts throughout the 201.5-kilometer hilly stage paid off, despite starting to cramp during the final stretch.

Key Highlights:

• Ben Healy's solo breakaway was a masterclass in endurance and strategy, showcasing his ability to dominate in challenging conditions.
• The stage featured six categorized climbs, with temperatures soaring to 27°C, yet the peloton maintained an impressive average speed of 47 km/h.
• Van der Poel and Pogacar continued their intense rivalry, with the Dutchman narrowly reclaiming the overall lead.

Stage Six Results:

1. Ben Healy (Ire/EF Education-EasyPost) - 4h 24m 10s
2. Quinn Simmons (US/Lidl-Trek) - +2m 44s
3. Michael Storer (Aus/Tudor) - +2m 51s
4. Eddie Dunbar (Ire/Jayco AlUla) - +3m 21s
5. Simon Yates (GB/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +3m 24s

General Classification Standings After Stage Six:

1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Deceuninck) - 21h 52m 34s
2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - +1s
3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) - +43s
4. Kevin Vauquelin (Fra/Arkea-B&B Hotels) - +1m
5. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +1m 14s

Healy's victory is Ireland's 15th Tour stage win, achieved by seven different riders, and the first since Sam Bennett in 2020. The 24-year-old expressed his gratitude for the hard work and support from his team, emphasizing the significance of this achievement in his career.

Looking ahead, stage seven will cover 197 kilometers from Saint-Malo to Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, where Van der Poel claimed his first stage win in 2021. The competition remains fierce as the Tour de France continues to deliver thrilling moments and unforgettable performances.