In the world of cycling, the strategic allocation of riders to different races is a delicate art, and Victor Campenaerts' journey with Team Visma | Lease a Bike is a testament to this. The Belgian rider, once known for his individual performances and breakaway specialists, has seamlessly transitioned into a domestique role, becoming an invaluable asset to Jonas Vingegaard. This transformation is particularly intriguing, as it highlights the evolving nature of cycling strategies and the importance of adaptability in the sport.
Campenaerts' move to Visma brought a new chapter in his career. At 33, he sought a change from his previous role as a time trial and breakaway specialist. His performances, while impressive, were perhaps not as impactful as they once were. However, his new role has allowed him to contribute to the team's overall success, and his performances have been nothing short of remarkable.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Campenaerts' transition is his ability to adapt to different race dynamics. At Paris-Nice last year, he found himself perfectly suited to his new role. His experience in positioning and his powerful engine made him an ideal guide for Vingegaard during the tense moments of racing away from the mountains. Moreover, his daily vlogs have become a motivational force within the team, and his physical stature makes him an ideal candidate for urgent bike swaps when needed.
The collaboration between Campenaerts and Vingegaard has been a success at the Criterium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France. So much so that the veteran added the Vuelta a España to his calendar, further showcasing his importance to the team's overall strategy. This success has led to a continuation of the same formula in 2026, with Campenaerts' role as a domestique being replicated.
However, the Belgian rider is not set to race the final Grand Tour of the season, as his spot is already secured at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. Aside from those two races, at the time of writing, Campenaerts is only racing Paris-Nice, where he meets up with the Dane in a race that is often very nervous and crash-marred. It remains to be seen where else he will race this spring, but it is possible that he will also join the lineup at the Volta a Catalunya, where the team should have a lot of the Giro block present.
What is particularly interesting about Campenaerts' situation is the contrast between his performances in multi-day races and his experiences in the classics. He has ridden well in the classics before, but last year, he struggled, driving home with a bag of ice pressed against his forehead after every race. In contrast, his performances in multi-day races with the Vingegaard block have been euphoric, and he has found a new level of success.
This raises a deeper question: why is it that Campenaerts seems to thrive in multi-day races, while he struggles in the classics? One thing that immediately stands out is the chaotic nature of the classics, with crashes and mechanicals often making them less tactical and more head-to-head between the leaders. In such scenarios, it is hard to be very useful for the team, and Campenaerts' role as a domestique may not be as effective.
From my perspective, the answer lies in the strategic allocation of riders to different races. Multi-day races, such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, require a different set of skills and strategies than the classics. Campenaerts' ability to adapt to these different dynamics has allowed him to excel in his new role, and his performances have been a testament to the importance of adaptability in the sport.
In conclusion, Victor Campenaerts' journey with Team Visma | Lease a Bike is a fascinating example of the evolving nature of cycling strategies and the importance of adaptability in the sport. His ability to transition from a time trial and breakaway specialist to a domestique has been a success, and his performances have been a testament to the power of strategic allocation and adaptability. As the sport continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Campenaerts' story unfolds and how his role as a domestique continues to impact his performances.
