Victor Lafay faces uncertain future

Victor Lafay, a French cyclist with stage wins in the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, will not have a contract for the 2027 season, though he still wants to continue racing.

Health issues halt his career

Lafay has not competed in any races for more than a year due to unexplained health issues. He has not yet officially decided to retire from cycling, despite not having a contract for the upcoming season.

Unresolved medical mystery

At 30 years old, Lafay still hopes to return to the peloton, even for one last time. "I would like to do one or two final races," he said. The career of Victor Lafay could end with a sense of unfinished business.

Public recognition and personal struggle

Revealed to the public with his stage victories at the Giro in 2021 and at the Tour de France in 2023 in Saint-Sébastien, the Lyon native is going through a particularly difficult period. Now 30 years old, he has not started in any professional race since October 2025, despite signing with Unibet Rose Rockets at the end of last year.

Medical tests yield no answers

The reason is persistent health problems whose cause remains unknown. "They tested my heart, my lungs, and looked for various types of viruses. Absolutely everything. All the results indicate that I am in good health. We still don't know what is causing this. It is hard to live with," he explained this summer.

Uncertain retirement plans

A difficult situation to accept for the Frenchman, who has not completely moved on from cycling. "In my mind, it is not official," he told L'Équipe this week. "I would have a sense of unfinished business if it were to end like this. I would like to do one or two final races, one day, if things get better."

No contract for 2027

However, this possibility will not materialize under the colors of Unibet Rose Rockets: "What is certain is that I will not have a contract in January 2027, and in fact, I am not looking for one." The Frenchman has already started thinking about projects outside of sports, without officially announcing his retirement.