"Happiness only exists when shared" - Victor Campenaerts' philosophical Giro d'italia reflections after Vingegaard victory
Cycling
Victor Campenaerts turned philosopher as the Giro d'Italia wrapped up on Sunday evening as he reflected on Jonas Vingegaard's maglia rosa win, being one of the oldest at the highest level and how success makes him feel.
The Visma | Leade a Bike rider has been a crucial domestique for Vingegaard as he took the pink jersey and the team sealed an emphatic six stage wins on their way to Rome. An ever-present on the front of the bunch, the Belgian's versatility makes him an invaluable member of the team.
Campanaerts insisted that their success can be attributed to their chemistry as a team - forged in months of training camps and specific targeting of stage strategies well in advance of arriving in Bulgaria. He sees his teammates more as friends.
"Right from the start of the Giro the vibe was very good, and of course the stage wins and the pink jersey only boosted the vibes," Campenaerts told Cyclingnews.
"I think the secret is that because of how much time we spend together, we know each other very well. We're one of the rare teams that does a December camp, then a January camp, then an altitude camp with six of the eight riders that participate in the Giro. When you get to know each other so well, you're more like friends than just teammates."
Campenaerts on experience
With the average age of riders reaching the highest level in cycling dramatically dropping the past decade, Campenaerts was quick to point out the value of experience amongst a high-performing team.
"I'm one of the older guys in the team but age is just a number, right? Cycling has changed in recent years. When I started, a rider's prime was at 30, now it's a lot earlier. The average peak performing age of a team is lower now. But there's value in experience, and I think Sepp Kuss and I have vital experience."
He added: "Of course, the most important thing is having the legs. I think we showed in this Giro that everybody in the team has the legs. That's how you win big races and Grand Tours."
"Happiness only exists when shared"
Concluding his thoughts on the Giro, he referenced famous philosophy and travel movie 'Into The Wild' as he attempted to describe the feeling of being part of a grand tour-winning team.
"The movie Into the Wild closes off with this phrase: 'Happiness only exists when shared'. When you can share the moment of crossing the line together, I think that's incredible," he said.
"This is a great day but for me it's more about the whole experience, the altitude camp before coming here, about talking about the stages months before and then delivering. Our plan in a way looks easy but it's very well prepared and that makes it a beautiful thing. We know how hard we work together for this. To win is indescribable."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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