“I’m very glad to have won, especially after what I went through at the Tour" - Victory Lafay makes comeback in Arctic Race of Norway after a bad Tour de France

Cofidis rider Victory Lafay secured another win for his team in the Arctic Race of Norway. The Frenchman launched an early attack in the final 2 kilometers and crossed the finish line first.

“That climb was really difficult. I knew if I wanted to win, I had to attack on the steepest section,” Lafay said. He continues, “Axel told me at the start of the steepest part that I could play my hand because he wasn’t feeling in top shape. So that’s what I did, I attacked the steepest bit, though it was still a long, long way to the finish.”

He attacked in the final two kilometers of the climb and steadily increased the lead.“I knew I had a good gap. OK, they looked close behind me, but the slopes were steep, so it was a decent gap,” Lafay said. Although he was clear on winning, he did not sprint to save energy till the last moment in case someone tried to jump.“I told myself to manage my effort and not to go flat out too soon in case I blew up, but in the end, I had lactic acid up to my ears anyway,” said Lafay.

Lafay abandoned the Tour de France last month due to breathing problems. He says he is fully recovered and looks forward to the final stage. “I’m very glad to have won, especially after what I went through at the Tour. For three weeks after the Tour, I was struggling, it was hard to train, and I had breathing difficulties. I’ve taken the jersey today,” concluded Lafay.