"It’s a great first week, really tailored to the explosive riders" - Victor Lafay dreams of yellow at the 2025 Tour de France

Victor Lafay was a massive revelation of the opening weekend of 2023 Tour de France in Pays Basque, climbing as the best among mortals in Bilbao and the very next taking a stage victory in a stage that reminded San Sebastian.

Thus, Lafay's move to Decathlon AG2R for 2024 was highly anticipated, but knee problems stopped him for the first half of the season. Lafay recovered well and still managed to end his season in a good way with fourth overall in Guangxi. "It's really great to end your season in good shape," he looks back on the past months with DirectVelo.

"The key now is to keep training well during the winter months. I hope I stay healthy and then the rest will follow. I no longer have any problems with my knee. In the Vuelta a España I managed to conquer 60,000 vertical meters without pain. In other words, it should be fine for next year."

Speaking of next year, Lafay makes no secret of his ambitions for 2025. "I have a very big wish for next year. There are many races where I want to shine and where I haven’t had the chance to do it yet. But I really dream of wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. I hope to experience that one day. I know it’s a tough task, given the fierce competition."

The route during the first week of the 2025 Tour de France seems to be tailor-made for a punchy rider such as Lafay. "There’s the finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer on day two and there are also finishes in Rouen, Vire and Mûr-de-Bretagne. It’s a great first week, really tailored to the explosive riders. There will be plenty of opportunities. I’m going to focus on that. If I can win a stage, and even better, wear the yellow jersey... That would be incredible."