Cycling still knows how to tell stories that leave you breathless. Like that of Louis Vervaeke, which al Tour of Oman He tasted the sweet taste of victory again after 10 years of honourable career in the WorldTour, travelling between practically all the Belgian-Dutch teams, from Lotto to Sunweb, from Alpecin to soudal where it arrived in 2022. Always with the reputation of being a reliable, tireless, self-sacrificing team player. But always with that little worm in the depths of his soul.
A morning of running and heat
As the years go by, you almost get used to it. Even cycling can become something ordinary. You get up, you train, you go to the races, you pedal giving everything, but always in the shadows, hoping that the captain will do his job. (also because if he wins, the prizes are shared among everyone and this is an aspect of sharing that has never changed and is one of the strengths of this sport...). But there are special days, those in which everything changes and roles are reversed.In Yitti Hills, in the hellish heat of the Arabian Peninsula, Louis experienced one.
And yet, at first, everything seemed to be proceeding as usual. The initial breakaway was taking shape, with the group letting it go. "They won't get far anyway, we'll catch them all." It's almost always like this, after all. Almost. Part of the natural order of things is also someone who, seeing the usual routine of the group, dedicates himself to the pursuit: "They were looking at each other," the Belgian would recount upon arrival. Nobody was getting to work like that, to escape a bit from the boredom I thought I'd go and get them and a Spanish one Q36.5 He followed me. It didn't even take long to get back on track; we just had to change gear regularly.
The finish line? A mirage...
"Think you're going to win? No, then no. It was an action like many others seen this season.In the front group, we all pushed a bit, but we knew the group would arrive." Only it never arrived...
For someone like Vervaeke to overturn the order of things, some pieces need to fall into place. Perhaps the sprinters' teams, for one reason or another, can't agree. Or perhaps your team, having not considered a particular solution to chase a partial victory while keeping the standings in mind, is starting to think that, who knows, It might be a good idea to break the exchanges and see how it goes. Let's talk about the Wolfpack, they are masters at this…
That inner voice…
The miles pass, and the others advance, yes, but not with their usual haste. And then that nagging feeling in the depths of their soul begins to creep in, instilling doubt: What if this is the right time? Why not give it a try? What have you got to lose? Then you might always be left wondering if you didn't do it... The others? They'll do without you for a day, or rather, they'll be the ones to lend you a hand...
The others give up, they've done their part. He should do it too, but Vervaeke wants to try to the end, to seek what had so often eluded him. Yes, Because it's not as if Louis had always been there working in the early stages of the race over the past 10 years. He faced breakaways and took a few placings. But victory, that remained a taboo.And that inner voice again: you're 31, will you ever get another chance like this? But do you see how many young players are behind you, itching to take your place? Who would do anything to take your place? Maybe if you win, the bosses will have one more reason to sign your contract at the end of the year...
The push of the family
The group climbs back up, and Louis continues straight on, his legs feeling like lead: "Everything flashed through my mind. The finish line that never arrived, that red light of energy that was now fixed in my brain. Then I looked at my right arm: there is a tattoo, an eye with two namesThey are those of my children Augustin and Celestine, and that eye is my wife Astrid, as if to remind me they were there, to push me, to tell me I was doing something they were proud of. It was as if I could hear them, amidst the noise of the air cut by my passage, of the wheels frantically moving forward, of the people cheering me on. I could only hear them…
20 seconds, 10, 5. The trains of sprinters working flat out, but Louis doesn't give up. Because that day "is" the day. All the planets have lined up, all the pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place. The group is climbing back up, but they'll be left behind, and there's still time to get back up, to enjoy that forgotten taste.Pointing to that tattoo on his arm, because that's where it all started.
The next day, everything goes back to normal. Louis returns to work for the leaders, Valentin Paret Painter for the occasion, but no one can take those moments away from him: the victory, the podium, the post-race interviews, everyone asking the reasons behind that gesture. Cycling resumes its flow, with the spotlight reserved for others. But when years have passed, and perhaps his children have had children of their own who will look at those faded photos, Louis will be able to tell you about that magical day when, just for that day, everything turned upside down…
