A historic moment for Irish cycling in Kigali, with Ben Healy on the world championship podium alongside two phenomenal riders, Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel. The 25-year-old attributed this incredible performance to the confidence he gained during the 2025 Tour de France, where he won a stage and wore the yellow jersey.

"It's a special photo, with great champions," Healy commented after the podium ceremony at the Kigali Convention Centre. "I've made progress year after year, improving my percentage and refining my riding style. This summer's Tour de France gave me that extra push. I knew what I had to do today, and it worked out great."

An EF Education-EasyPost rider, Healy had a magical summer at the Tour, winning stage six in Vire Normandie and taking the yellow jersey on stage ten on Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy. Although he later ceded the lead to Pogačar on the Hautacam, he finished ninth, his best Grand Tour performance.

In Kigali, the Irishman rode a grueling race, described as "the toughest of his career." After being in Pogačar's chasing group, he found himself in the final stages with Evenepoel and Skjelmose. When the Belgian attacked with 20 km to go, Healy continued to battle with the Dane until the final climb on the cobblestones of the Côte de Kimihurura, where he managed to break away and take a historic bronze medal.

"It was a crazy race, the results prove it. I managed the effort well and still had energy in the final stages," Healy explained, noting that only 30 runners finished the race. "We were all at the limit, we just had to recover what strength we had left. In my mind, I was just thinking about conserving my energy. If you push too hard too soon, you pay for it."

The Irishman also praised the Rwandan crowd, especially on Mount Kigali: "It was incredible, I've never seen a crowd like that. There were so many people on the podium, too. It was really exciting."