[dmurray]

Cycling is the obvious example - it's completely reasonable to go into a race as a support rider but end up, say, in a breakaway group that was successful while the team captain stayed with the main peloton.

It's not possible to win a whole tour that way, but if you build up a lead over your captain in the first few stages, your director might decide to switch tactics and have the team support you after that.

[mpol]

The Vuelta of Spain was supposed to be a win for Bradley Wiggins, but his support Chris Froome faired much better. After Kobo lost, at the jury table, the win was awarded to Froome, then a support cyclist.