I’ll admit something right away — I wasn’t always obsessed with time trials or breakaway specialists. My cycling heart used to belong entirely to sprinters and climbers.
That changed the day I watched Victor Campenaerts attack from a doomed-looking breakaway and somehow make it stick.
I was glued to the screen, yelling at the TV as he refused to give up inch after inch. It wasn’t just strength; it was grit, calculation, and a deep love for racing.
That day, I realized Victor wasn’t just another rider — he was a masterclass in how to fight for glory when the odds aren’t in your favor.
Who Exactly Is Victor Campenaerts and Why Does He Matter?
Image source-Instagram
Victor Campenaerts is a 33-year-old Belgian cyclist currently riding for UCI WorldTeam Visma–Lease a Bike.
He’s known as one of the sport’s most versatile riders — a world-class time trialist, a breakaway mastermind, and a classics threat rolled into one. His career has been a rollercoaster of comebacks, records, and relentless ambition.
He first rode for LottoNL–Jumbo (the team now known as Visma–Lease a Bike) back in 2016 and 2017. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s back in the yellow and black, still chasing big goals.
Even after withdrawing from the 2025 Vuelta a España due to health issues, Victor is already back on the bike, proving his resilience is just as strong as his legs.
What makes him truly special isn’t just the victories — though he’s got plenty. It’s how he wins them: attacking from the front, turning solo efforts into unforgettable wins, and pushing his body (and the sport) to new limits.
What Are Victor Campenaerts’ Most Impressive Achievements?
If you love cycling history, Victor Campenaerts has etched his name into it — literally. In 2019, he broke Bradley Wiggins’ Hour Record with a jaw-dropping 55.089 km, a feat that still gives me goosebumps.
Watching him grind out every meter of that ride was like witnessing sheer determination in motion.
And that’s just the start. Here’s a snapshot of his biggest career milestones:
| Achievement | Year |
| Hour Record (55.089 km) | 2019 |
| European Time Trial Champion | 2017, 2018 |
| Belgian National Time Trial Champion | 2016, 2018 |
| Tour de France Stage Victory | 2024 |
| Giro d’Italia Stage Victory | 2021 |
| Tirreno-Adriatico Stage Victory | 2019 |
| Druivenkoers – Overijse | 2023 |
| Grote Prijs Jef Scherens | 2022 |
These aren’t just numbers; they’re proof of his range and resilience. Winning time trials is one thing — conquering a Tour de France stage from a breakaway is another level entirely. It shows Victor isn’t just about power; he’s about race intelligence and timing, too.
Why Is Victor Campenaerts Known as a Breakaway Master?
Here’s the thing about breakaways: they’re a gamble. Most get caught. Most fail. But Victor Campenaerts has built a career out of making them succeed. It’s not luck — it’s a mix of perfect pacing, tactical awareness, and raw courage.
When Victor launches a move, he commits to it with everything he has. He reads the peloton’s hesitation, knows when the wind is in his favor, and uses his time-trial engine to stay clear.
That’s how he pulled off his 2024 Tour de France stage win, one of the most dramatic days of the race.
He broke free, dug deep, and refused to look back — the kind of ride that makes fans fall in love with cycling all over again.
It’s also why teams love riders like Victor. He’s not waiting for the race to come to him — he’s out there shaping it.
And as cycling evolves, those riders who can force the action rather than react to it become priceless.
What Can We Learn From Victor Campenaerts’ Career?
Victor’s story is about more than watts and wins. It’s about perseverance and evolution. After hitting the peak of his time-trial career with that record-breaking ride in 2019, he didn’t just stay in his comfort zone. He reinvented himself as a breakaway and classics rider, proving that you can evolve at any stage of your career.
Even setbacks haven’t stopped him. Withdrawing from the 2025 Vuelta a España due to health issues could have been a low point.
Instead, he used it as fuel, recovering quickly and getting back to training. That kind of resilience is rare — and it’s exactly what makes Victor so respected in the peloton.
For me, it’s a reminder that chasing goals means adapting and pushing forward, even when the road gets rough. Victor once said, “I have one big goal left in my career.” You can feel that hunger in the way he rides — and it’s contagious.
How Has Victor Campenaerts Impacted Modern Cycling?
Cycling is often about tradition, but Victor Campenaerts has shown how to blend tradition with innovation.
His Hour Record wasn’t just about physical ability; it was a masterclass in planning, aerodynamics, and science. Every detail mattered — from equipment choice to pacing strategy — and Victor nailed them all.
Beyond the record books, his aggressive racing style has made races more exciting. Fans know that when Victor is in the break, it’s worth watching.
He’s the rider who makes commentators raise their voices and fans hold their breath — because anything can happen when he’s on the attack.
And with 14 UCI victories and 42 podium finishes so far, his influence goes beyond the headlines.
He’s inspired a new generation of riders to trust their instincts, embrace risk, and chase glory on their own terms.
How Can You Ride Like Victor Campenaerts? (My Take)
Okay, you and I might never break the Hour Record — but we can learn a lot from Victor’s approach to cycling. Here’s how I try to channel my inner Campenaerts on the bike:
- Build your engine.
Victor’s time-trialing power is legendary because he’s spent years honing it. Focus on steady endurance rides and threshold training to improve your sustained effort. - Embrace bold moves.
Breakaways are risky, but they’re also thrilling. Next time you ride in a group or local race, don’t be afraid to attack — even if it’s just for fun. - Stay resilient.
Setbacks happen. Victor’s return from health issues shows how important patience and consistency are. Whether it’s a bad race or a missed goal, keep moving forward. - Keep evolving.
Victor didn’t stick to one style. He expanded his skill set. If you’re more of a climber, work on your sprints. If you’re a sprinter, practice pacing. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
FAQs About Victor Campenaerts
Q1: What team does Victor Campenaerts ride for now?
Victor currently rides for UCI WorldTeam Visma–Lease a Bike, a return to the team he first joined back in 2016 when it was known as LottoNL–Jumbo.
He rejoined in 2025 and continues to be one of their key riders in time trials and breakaway stages.
Q2: What is Victor Campenaerts best known for?
He’s best known for breaking the Hour Record in 2019, covering 55.089 km and surpassing Bradley Wiggins.
He’s also famous for his daring breakaway victories, including a stage win in the 2024 Tour de France and the 2021 Giro d’Italia.
Q3: Has Victor Campenaerts faced any major setbacks?
Yes, he withdrew from the 2025 Vuelta a España due to health issues. But true to his nature, he bounced back quickly and resumed training, showing the resilience and determination that define his career.
Q4: How many victories does Victor Campenaerts have?
So far, he’s earned 14 UCI victories and stood on the podium 42 times. His mix of time trial titles, stage wins, and one-day race successes makes him one of the most versatile riders in the peloton.
The Final Sprint: Why Victor Campenaerts Will Always Inspire Me
Here’s my truth — whenever I need motivation on a tough day, I think of Victor Campenaerts grinding out every meter of that Hour Record or attacking solo against the odds.
He’s proof that cycling isn’t just about winning; it’s about courage, reinvention, and refusing to quit.
Victor still says he has “one big goal” left in his career. Whatever that is, I’ll be watching — because if his past has taught us anything, it’s that he’ll chase it with everything he’s got.
And maybe that’s the lesson we all need: go all-in, even when it’s hard. Because that’s how legends are made.
