Victor Lafay has to delay 2024 debut until at least June due to knee injury: "The pain prevents me from preparing as I would like"

Victor Lafay gave an interview to Le Progress, in which he explains that it's similar knee problem to the one of Mauro Schmid, which are keeping him from debut with his new team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. But unlike Schmid who'll return to action this weekend, Lafay will be sidelined for another months.

Lafay confesses that he has been struggling with knee problems all winter. "I struggle with the patellar tendon. The pain prevents me from preparing as I would like."

It is already clear Lafay won't appear at the Ardennes and his return is currently planned no sooner than in June. "I would have liked to be there for the Ardennes, because those races suit me. But I have to wait and hope to be back for the Critérium du Dauphiné."

The French race starts on June 2, which would have meant losing five full months. For that reason, Lafay is already thinking about the summer, with the Tour de France once again as a big goal. "It is my ultimate dream to wear the yellow jersey," he says honestly.