Ben Healy will miss the Ardennes classics this spring after sustaining a fractured sacrum during the Itzulia Basque Country race in early April 2025. The EF Education-EasyPost rider confirmed the injury forced him to withdraw from upcoming WorldTour events, including the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His absence marks a significant blow to the Irish cyclist’s spring campaign, particularly as he had shown strong form in recent races.
Healy’s injury occurred during the fifth stage of the Itzulia Basque Country, a demanding six-day stage race held in the Basque region of northern Spain. The crash happened on a descent near the finish in Amorebieta-Etxano, where several riders went down in a chaotic finale. Medical evaluation following the stage revealed a fracture in the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine connecting to the pelvis. Such injuries typically require several weeks of rest and rehabilitation before a return to training, let alone competition.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Healy, who had entered the Ardennes classics with momentum after a top-ten finish at the Amstel Gold Race in 2024 and strong performances in early-season stage races. His EF Education-EasyPost teammate Neilson Powless described the difficulty of watching races unfold from the sidelines, noting Healy’s frustration at missing events he had prepared for all winter. “It’s going to suck to watch the Ardennes and not be a part of it,” Powless quoted Healy as saying during a team update released after the Basque Country race.
Healy’s withdrawal reshapes the dynamics for EF Education-EasyPost in the Ardennes triple. Without his presence in the breakaways and late-race moves, the team will rely more heavily on Powless and other riders to animate races and support potential stage hunters. The squad had entered the classics period with ambitions to challenge for podiums in both men’s and women’s races, buoyed by strong showings in Flanders earlier in the spring.
The Amstel Gold Race, held on April 19, 2025, took place without Healy at the start. The race, known for its brutal Cauberg climb in the final kilometers, was won by Tadej Pogačar, who launched a decisive attack on the hill to claim victory. La Flèche Wallonne, scheduled for April 22, features the infamous Mur de Huy, a short but steep climb that often decides the race. Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the oldest of the Ardennes classics and traditionally held on the last Sunday in April, will run on April 27, 2025, over a 252-kilometer route starting and ending in Liège, Belgium.
Healy’s injury adds to a growing list of setbacks for EF Education-EasyPost during the 2025 spring classics campaign. The team has had to adjust tactics and goals across multiple races due to absences and crashes affecting key riders. Despite these challenges, the squad continues to emphasize resilience and adaptability, values frequently highlighted in team communications and rider interviews.
Recovery from a sacral fracture typically involves a period of restricted weight-bearing activity, followed by gradual reintroduction of low-impact exercise and core strengthening. Medical professionals advise against rushing the healing process, as premature return to cycling can risk worsening the injury or leading to compensatory strain elsewhere. Healy’s timeline for return has not been publicly specified, but such injuries often require six to twelve weeks before athletes can resume full training loads.
As Healy focuses on rehabilitation, the cycling world will watch the Ardennes unfold without one of its most aggressive and promising young riders. His absence serves as a reminder of the physical toll exacted by the sport’s most demanding races, where crashes and injuries can alter seasons in an instant. Fans and teammates alike hope for a full and swift recovery, with the expectation that Healy will return to the peloton stronger and more determined.
For updates on Ben Healy’s recovery and return to competition, followers are encouraged to check official channels from EF Education-EasyPost and the rider’s personal social media accounts, where progress is occasionally shared.
Stay tuned to World Today Journal for continued coverage of the 2025 cycling season, including race results, rider profiles, and in-depth analysis of the sport’s biggest events.