Here’s a bold statement: in a sport obsessed with winners, one young cyclist is proudly embracing the role of the unsung hero. But here’s where it gets controversial—Victor Vercouillie, a 23-year-old Belgian rider, isn’t dreaming of crossing finish lines first. Instead, he’s aiming to become the next Tim Declercq, the recently retired powerhouse known for his selfless, relentless work as a super-domestique. In an era where personal glory often steals the spotlight, Vercouillie’s ambition is refreshingly team-centric—and it’s sparking conversations about the value of behind-the-scenes contributors in cycling.
In a recent interview with Sporza, Vercouillie, who rides for Team Flanders - Baloise, made it clear: he has zero interest in reinventing himself as a leader. Instead, he sees his future as a trusted, hard-working domestique, a role he believes aligns perfectly with his natural strengths. “I’ve never been a rider who wins a lot,” he admitted. “I’ll never be a leader, but you can still build a great career in another role.” And this is the part most people miss—Vercouillie’s vision isn’t about fading into the background; it’s about redefining success in a sport that often measures greatness by victories alone.
His inspiration? None other than Tim Declercq, whose years of tireless work at the front of the peloton have left an indelible mark on the sport. “It’s a beautiful ambition to aim to do the same as him,” Vercouillie said, highlighting the impact of a rider whose contributions often went unnoticed by casual fans but were invaluable to his team. This perspective raises a thought-provoking question: Is the role of the domestique undervalued in cycling, or is it the backbone of every successful team?
While Vercouillie’s mindset is team-focused, his 2025 season was anything but ordinary. He racked up an astonishing 2,403 kilometers in breakaways—the highest total in the professional peloton—turning him into one of the season’s most recognizable early-race animators. This wasn’t just a fluke; it was a personal goal. “When I realized I’d been in the top three of the breakaway rankings for months, I really wanted to finish first,” he explained. Though he downplayed the significance of the title, he acknowledged it as proof of consistent performance throughout the season.
Vercouillie’s presence was felt across both classics and stage races, from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Tour of Flanders to Etoile de Besseges and the Tour of Britain. His knack for finding the right move wasn’t about calculation but instinct. “Sometimes you just feel the right moment coming,” he said. “Like when the big names move to the front to calm the peloton—you know they’ll raise the pace again soon, and that’s when you have to jump.”
Despite promising results, including a top-10 finish on stage one of the Tour of Denmark and a near-podium at GP Monsere, Vercouillie remains grounded about his strengths. “I know I’m not strong enough to follow the big hitters in the final,” he admitted. “But in the early break, I don’t have to push as hard on the climbs, and I can go much further than if I stayed in the peloton.”
As he enters his third season with Flanders-Baloise, Vercouillie is hopeful but realistic about a potential WorldTour step-up. “If the chance came, I wouldn’t turn it down,” he said. “But it still feels a little early. The WorldTour programme is much harder.” His long-term goal, however, is crystal clear: endurance work, leadership support, and collective gain over personal glory.
Here’s the question for you: In a sport that celebrates individual victories, is there enough recognition for riders like Vercouillie, who prioritize team success over personal fame? And could his approach inspire a new generation of cyclists to find value in the shadows? Let’s debate it in the comments—because in cycling, as in life, there’s more than one way to leave a legacy.
