Victor Lafay's cycling career hangs in the balance, leaving fans on the edge of their seats! The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider has been grappling with a dilemma: to continue or to retire? It's a 50-50 call, as he revealed to Daniel Benson's Substack in September.
Lafay's recent performances have been a rollercoaster. He narrowly missed victory at the Tour of Guangxi's Queen stage, finishing second to Paul Double. But this near-win is a stark contrast to his struggles since joining Decathlon, which followed a glorious 2023 Tour de France stage victory in San Sebastián.
The decision to retire is a complex one. Lafay wants to be in top shape to make the call, but recent illness has complicated matters. He hints at a desire to leave on a high note, stating, 'It wouldn't be bad to go out at the top.' But what's next? Perhaps selling cheese in Japan, as he humorously suggested at the Tour of Britain.
And here's where it gets controversial. Lafay's teammate, Aurelien Paret-Peintre, was caught in a crash before the final ascent at Guangxi. Could this have been the difference between victory and defeat? Lafay thinks so, but we'll never know for sure.
The final stage in Nanning offers Lafay a chance to shine, but it's a tall order. Will he secure the GC crown and cement his future in cycling? Or will this be his last race? The world of cycling awaits the answer with bated breath.
What do you think? Should Lafay hang up his wheels or give it one more shot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
