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The aero tech and tricks behind Ben Healy’s 50 km solo Giro stage win

A closer look at Ben Healy's Cannondale SystemSix – because, "Aero, that's what I am all about."

For many, EF Education-EasyPost’s Ben Healy has been the surprise package of the 2023 season thus far. But for those who have followed his progression from the junior categories, his rise to the highest echelons of the sport is less a surprise and more a confirmation of his obvious talent.

Equally obvious to anyone tracking the progress of the Tour de l’Avenir’s youngest-ever stage winner is his attention to the aero details. When better to take a closer look at the setup of one of the peloton’s most aero riders than in the aftermath of Healy’s 50 km solo break to win stage 8 of the Giro d’Italia?

First things first: the frame. Healy is one of only a few riders at EF choosing the Cannondale SystemSix this season. With the introduction of the new SuperSix Evo, most of the team are now choosing that bike for every race. But Healy – despite being an all-rounder/climber type that might typically choose the lighter-do-it-all option – still opts for the aero-focused, but slightly heavier, SystemSix.

Healy simply says, “Aero – that’s what I am all about,” when asked why he prefers the SystemSix over the new SuperSix.
The team supplied these photos of Healy’s SystemSix, albeit with Vision’s SL60s rather than the 45 mm deep rims he won stage eight with.
Healy opts for 38 cm wide Vision Trimax carbon aero bars with the levers angled in.
Vittoria’s new Corsa Pro 28 mm tyres with, according to Healy, Vittoria’s inserts.
54:40 Chainrings are almost obligatory in the pro peloton these days.

It’s a fast-moving sport with all the technology and new equipment, I think you need to be open-minded to that to keep up these days.

Ben Healy on his willingness to choose different equipment options.
It’s not just on the road that Healy looks “dialled” – his TT position looks every bit as optimised. The current Irish time trial champion demonstrates exactly the kind of position that makes a POC Tempor look good and uses the same Rapha skinsuit, but this time with the green and white of the Irish champion.
There are, of course, the almost obligatory overshoes also. But more interesting is what is underneath the overshoes. Is that a gel? Is this the latest aero hack loophole?

Beneath the overshoes and mysterious lump, Healy has a sleek pair of custom-painted Nimbl Feat Ultimate shoes. The shoes are painted by fellow Irishman and footwear artist, Shea Gribbon, aka, The Shoe Dr.

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A post shared by The Shoe Dr. (@theshoedr_)

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