Cyclist Ben Healy Led the Way in Combative Spirit at Tour de France, Taking Home the Super Combativity Award
Ben Healy Wins the Super Combatif Award at the Tour de France 2022
The Tour de France 2022 saw a thrilling race, filled with breakaways, attacks, and exceptional fighting spirit. At the heart of this action was Ben Healy of EF Education First-EasyPost, who was crowned the winner of the Super Combatif award.
The Super Combatif award, given annually since 1981, is a prestigious prize that recognises the cyclist who animates the race with their aggression and initiative. It's a prize that celebrates the spirit of excitement and dynamism in the Tour de France, beyond just the general classification battles.
Throughout the 21 stages of the race, Healy demonstrated his fighting spirit by winning a stage from the break in Toulouse and spending time in the yellow jersey. He also finished second on Mont Ventoux and was named as the most combative rider on three occasions.
Despite winning the public vote on social media, Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility was not awarded the Super Combatif award. The jury decided to overrule the public vote and give the award to Healy.
Other riders who were in contention for the award included Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers), Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Abrahamsen, Healy, Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
A rider is named as most combative on each stage, selected by a jury from sponsors Century 21. However, being named as most combative on a stage is not a requirement for those going for the overall podium in Paris.
In addition to Healy, Arensman also won two stages during the Tour de France 2022, one in Superbagnères and another at La Plagne. Tim Wellens also won a stage, escaping on the road to Carcassonne.
The Super Combatif award comes with a trophy, podium time, and a cash prize of €20,000. It's a fitting recognition for the rider who makes the Tour de France a memorable spectacle for fans around the world.
The final eight were voted for on social media, with the winner crowned on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday evening. Healy joins the ranks of notable winners such as Eddy Merckx, who holds the record with four overall Super Combativity awards, and Dan Martin, who won the award in 2018.
As the Tour de France 2022 comes to a close, it's clear that Healy's aggressive riding style and fighting spirit have left a lasting impression on the race. The Super Combatif award is a fitting testament to his contributions to the race and a well-deserved recognition of his riding prowess.
The Super Combatif award, celebrated annually since 1981, commends the cyclist who showcases exceptional aggression and initiative throughout the Tour de France. Ben Healy, winning the award in 2022, demonstrated his fighting spirit throughout the 21 stages, culminating in a memorable spectacle for fans worldwide.
