Imagine standing at a crossroads, your career hanging in the balance, with one path leading to retirement and the other to redemption. That’s exactly where Victor Lafay finds himself right now. The cyclist who once conquered the Tour de France is now teetering on the edge of an uncertain future, torn between calling it quits and chasing one last shot at glory. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: after years of battling injuries and illness, Lafay has suddenly rediscovered his top form, leaving fans and critics alike wondering—what’s next?
Victor Lafay, of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, recently admitted he’s split 50-50 on whether to retire at the end of 2025. It’s a decision that’s been brewing since his struggles began, but his recent performance at the Tour of Guangxi has thrown a wrench into the works. On Saturday’s Queen stage to Nongla, Lafay narrowly missed out on victory, finishing second to Paul Double (Jayco-AlUla) after a daring solo breakaway. Heading into the final day in Nanning, he’s just 15 seconds shy of a WorldTour stage race overall win—a position that seemed almost unimaginable given his recent setbacks.
And this is the part most people miss: Lafay’s journey hasn’t been a smooth ride. Since his unforgettable 2023 Tour de France stage win in San Sebastián, where he outpaced cycling giants like Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogačar, he’s faced constant challenges. Injuries, illness, and a winless streak have plagued him, making his current form all the more remarkable. Yet, in a candid interview with Daniel Benson’s Substack, Lafay confessed, ‘I’m not sure if I’ll race again next year. I’ve had a lot of time to think about life after cycling, and I’m okay with stopping now.’
But here’s the twist: Lafay isn’t just thinking about retirement—he’s dreaming of selling cheese in Japan, a quirky post-cycling ambition that’s sparked curiosity across the sport. ‘Maybe it’s easier to stop when you’re on top form than when you’re struggling and already forgotten,’ he mused to reporters. ‘It wouldn’t be bad to go out at the top.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: What if Lafay’s teammate, Aurelien Paret-Peintre, hadn’t crashed before the final ascent in Guangxi? Could Lafay have caught Double and claimed victory? Paret-Peintre, who was poised to be Lafay’s last man, might have turned the tide. ‘It was complicated,’ Lafay admitted. ‘I think I had the legs to win, but the race dynamics didn’t play in my favor.’
As Lafay prepares for Stage 6 in Nanning, a course tailor-made for his punchy style, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will he dethrone the British rider for the GC crown? And more importantly, will this race determine his future in cycling? One thing’s for sure: Sunday’s performance could be the deciding factor in whether Lafay hangs up his wheels or keeps pedaling toward new horizons.
Thought-provoking question for you: Should athletes retire at the peak of their form, or is there value in pushing through struggles to see what’s left in the tank? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
