Victor Van Schil

Victor "Vic" Van Schil (21 December 1939 – 30 September 2009) was a Belgian racing cyclist. He rode in 21 Grand Tours in his career, including 11 editions of the Tour de France, four editions of the Vuelta a España, and six editions of the Giro d'Italia.

Career Van Schil's main victories were two stages of the Vuelta a España, in 1964 and 1968, and the 1968 Brabantse Pijl. He also had success in the 1969 Liège–Bastogne–Liège, finishing alongside his teammate Eddy Merckx, eight minutes ahead of the next rider.

Van Schil was a teammate of Eddy Merckx for nine years, riding with him on Faema from 1968 to 1970, and from 1971 to 1976, and was known for being Merckx's main domestique. He also rode with Raymond Poulidor from 1962 to 1966 on .

Death Van Schil committed suicide at his home on 30 September 2009, at age 69, due to suffering from depression.

Major results

1962 1st Tour du Condroz 3rd Scheldeprijs 1963 1st Schaal Sels 1964 1st Stage 11 Vuelta a España 2nd Brussels–Ingooigem 3rd Grand Prix du Midi Libre 3rd Overall Circuit du Provençal 1965 3rd Tour du Condroz 4th Paris–Roubaix 1966 1st Stage 1a Tour of Belgium 2nd Liège–Bastogne–Liège 1967 1st Overall Tour de Wallonie 1968 1st Stage 13 Vuelta a España 1st Brabantse Pijl 3rd Grand Prix Fayt-le-Franc 3rd Overall Tour de Wallonie 5th Paris–Roubaix 1969 1st Stage 4 Vuelta a Mallorca 2nd Schaal Sels 2nd Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2nd Brussels–Ingooigem 1970 1st Tour du Condroz 2nd Brabantse Pijl 1972 1st Tour du Condroz 2nd Züri-Metzgete 3rd Grand Prix Monaco 9th Liège–Bastogne–Liège 1973 2nd Brabantse Pijl 2nd Grote Prijs Jef Scherens 2nd Schaal Sels 1976 2nd Druivenkoers Overijse