Victor Van Schil | |
Birth Date: | 21 December 1939 |
Birth Place: | Nijlen, Belgium |
Death Place: | Nijlen, Belgium |
Discipline: | Road |
Role: | Rider |
Proyears1: | 1962–1966 |
Proyears2: | 1967 |
Proyears3: | 1968–1970 |
Proteam3: | Faema |
Proyears4: | 1971–1976 |
Proyears5: | 1977 |
Victor "Vic" Van Schil (21 December 1939 - 30 September 2009) was a Belgian racing cyclist.[1] 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.[2]
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 .
Van Schil committed suicide at his home on 30 September 2009, at age 69, due to suffering from depression.[3]