Lending support from the shadows

From fetching water to rescuing the team leader, 'domestiques' do it all

ROUBAIX, France - Mouth gaping, his huge body bent over the bike, Tim Declercq is doing the dirtiest job at the world's most prestigious cycling race.

The 29-year-old Belgian cyclist is riding at the front of the pack, his 6-foot-2 frame taking the full brunt of headwinds, mile after long mile, day after day on the Tour de France.