Ben Healy “super proud” of Olympic ride | “I played my cards best way I could”

Ben Healy of Team Ireland has said he was very proud of his 10th place finish in the men’s road race at the OIympic Games, and also with the way he and Ryan Mullen took on the race and gave it everything they had.

Though he was now set to take a break, he confirmed some of his racing schedule for the remainder of the year, saying the World Road Championships in Zurich were now a goal. And having ridden the way he did today, on such a big stage and over 273km, the Worlds is an obvious next goal.

“I did what I could. I played my cards the best way I know how, to give myself the best opportunity to try and go for a medal,” Healy said of going on the offence during the road race in Paris on Saturday.

“I’m super proud of the performance and the team, so I’ve got to be happy with that. If I’d had a little bit more in the tank I could have been super close to a medal, but 10th is something I can be proud of.”

Healy said the Olympics were “another level of sport” and “it’s just been a great experience to be here”.

“There were just stronger guys today, unfortunately,” Healy added of Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and Valentin Madous (France) riding away to gold and silver, and then his small group being caught by the chasers just before the finish.

He added with his team mate, Ryan Mullen, up the road from the time the race dipped under the 200km to go marker – with Healy making his move with 90km to go – the lack of race radios proved tricky.

“It was kinda strange racing in the dark like that. It creates a few question marks during the race. But you just have to race with that in mind and be super proactive.

“When I attacked and Ryan was ahead, I was just praying that he got a message. When I was away, I got a time gap every now and again.

“But I didn’t really know who was behind or what the gaps were. I just had to do my own race and do what I thought was right at the time.”

As the race progressed, Mullen was ideally placed, leading solo, when Healy and Elia Viviani (Italy) came across; Mullen then towing the duo away from the large group just five seconds back.

Healy said they had discussed combining in that way before the race but they could never be certain it would work out.

“We didn’t just want him to be sat out front for 200 kilometres before that,” he said. “When the opportunity came and he was able to get in a group pretty easily, and so it was a no-brainer. He did a big day out front and really helped me.”

And having ridden the Tour de France, which finished just two weeks ago, before moving on to the Olympics, he was now looking forward to a break.

“I haven’t really thought about my next goals too much, for sure, I’m not going to ride the Vuelta. I’d like to try to do a good World Championships, but first some rest.”