Victor Campenaerts already knows what his first race for Visma | Lease a Bike will be

In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Victor Campenaerts reflected extensively on his 2024 season, during which several of the Belgian rider’s big dreams came true. In cycling, he celebrated a stage victory in the Tour de France, while on a personal level, the birth of his first child brought him immense joy. Next year, a new challenge awaits, as he is joining Visma | Lease a Bike.

Campenaerts once again revisited that memorable day in the Tour. "I’m incredibly proud that I managed to do it. Professionally, it’s impossible to top that. Before that, I went through a period of uncertainty because Lotto didn’t follow through on a verbal agreement for a new contract. But after negotiations with Team Visma | Lease a Bike, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders," the Belgian time trial specialist explained.

Naturally, he also mentioned the birth of his first child, which coincidentally happened during a high-altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada. "The birth of our son Gustaaf on June 8 was an indescribable moment. That just changes your entire life in an instant. I was already on a high, and that led to an outpouring of emotions. I’ve never cried before, but after the finish, it all came out. I still get emotional thinking about it," Campenaerts said.

Read more below the photo!

Campenaerts already feels at home with Visma | Lease a Bike

At the end of December, Campenaerts completed his first training camp with Visma | Lease a Bike. "It’s been great. Everything is very well-organized, and I already know quite a few riders. Wout van Aert, of course, and Tiesj Benoot, who recently moved near me, and who has been a good friend for a long time," Campenaerts shared, adding that he has already revealed his ambitions.

"First, make it into the Tour de France team and then win the Tour with Jonas Vingegaard as our leader. It won’t be easy. Tadej Pogacar is also riding incredibly well. But I strongly believe in it," he said. Campenaerts also confirmed where he will make his debut for Richard Plugge’s team, though he isn’t dwelling on that just yet during the holidays. "My first race will be Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on March 2, so there’s still plenty of time to get back to my race weight."

Read also

Pogacar intimidates competition just before Christmas dinner with the most prestigious KOM in the training area

Cycling transfers WorldTour 2025 | Uno-X unwraps Christmas gift from Jayco AlUla: Grøndahl Jansen makes the move