For Harm Vanhoucke, cycling has always been close to home. His father was a cyclist as a junior, and although Vanhoucke first played soccer as a child, the pull of the bike eventually proved stronger. Once he made the switch to cycling, his path into the sport became clear. 

During the season, Harm is based in Belgium, where he completes most of his training when not attending altitude or team camps. The terrain around home is predominantly flat, shaped by open roads and long stretches of wind. When he seeks more variation, he heads to the Flemish Ardennes or Heuvelland, where short climbs and rolling roads offer a different kind of challenge. 

Training conditions are rarely easy. “Rainy and windy,” he says, summing up the typical Belgian weather that has shaped his resilience and toughness as a rider. These demanding environments have helped form a rider comfortable in difficult conditions and unpredictable races. 

The part of the season that excites him most is the start, particularly stage races such as the Volta a Catalunya. “I have some good memories from these races,” he explains. Looking ahead, his ambitions are clear: to deliver strong performances in stage races and to fight for a stage victory. 

Among all his career highlights, one memory stands out above the rest, finishing third on the Strade Bianche stage of the Giro d’Italia, a moment that showcased both his climbing ability and his strength on demanding terrain.