Victor Lafay hasn't raced in the 2026 season - And he will not make his debut at all following Chinese virus infection
CyclingSunday, 16 August 2026 at 15:50
Victor Lafay's future in cycling remains in doubt as his team have confirmed that he will not make his debut with Unibet Tietama Rockets in 2026. Joining the team over winter following his spell at Decathlon CMA CGM, the French rider has failed to gain the fitness to race this year.
Lafay suffered a virus picked up at the Tour of Guangxi, the race that saw him finish second overall as he capped off a strong second portion of the season. The 2023 Tour de France stage winner has struggled in his battle with the illness in subsequent months.
“He is still battling an illness,” team manager Sverre Vik told DirectVélo.
“Victor really tried to come back in the summer, but that didn't work out. He and the team's medical staff have decided that he needs to take a break. So he will not race this season."
Lafay considered retirement in 2025
Lafay joined the team for the 2026 season after considering an early retirement last winter, plagued by persistent knee injuries and illnesses, Lafay admitted his future in cycling was not clear and openly contemplated walking away from the sport.
Announcing the signing in November, the team said: "It all started by speaking with Victor’s agent. He explained to us that Victor was out of contract, and even though he is physically phenomenal, he was starting to have doubts about the life as a professional athlete.
"Victor is still enjoying training hard and riding his bike, but he wasn’t enjoying the pro cycling lifestyle."
Turning 30 in January, he found renewed motivation in joining the ProTeam's ranks as the French-Dutch team seek to play a role in Grand Tours in the coming season, with the team convincing him to change his mind on hanging up the racing bike.
Victor Lafay in 2025
Disappointment as Lafay never gets to make debut
With his contract covering just the 2026 season, it remains to be seen whether Lafay's future in professional cycling will continue as the team confirmed their disappointment on what was hoped could be a marquee signing over the winter period.
“The only thing I can say is that it is a huge disappointment for him. We noticed that he was very motivated when he joined our team.
"We were convinced that his profile fit our team perfectly and that it would suit him well. But then there is his health, which is a sad story, and at this moment we do not know what the future holds.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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