Imagine standing at a crossroads, your future hanging in the balance, with one path leading to retirement and the other to continued glory. That’s exactly where Victor Lafay finds himself right now. In a stunning turn of events, the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider has revealed he’s torn between calling it quits at the end of 2025 and pushing forward in his cycling career. After battling relentless injuries and illness, Lafay has recently rediscovered his top form, leaving fans and critics alike wondering: will he stay or will he go?
But here’s where it gets controversial—Lafay’s uncertainty isn’t just about physical struggles. It’s also about the mental toll of a sport that demands everything. In a candid interview with Daniel Benson’s Substack, he admitted, ‘I’m not sure if I’ll race again next year. I’ve had a lot of time to think about life after cycling, and I think I’m okay to stop now.’ Yet, just days later, he nearly clinched a WorldTour stage race victory at the Tour of Guangxi, finishing a mere 15 seconds behind the leader. Is it better to retire at the peak of your form or risk fading into obscurity?
And this is the part most people miss: Lafay’s potential retirement isn’t just about cycling. He’s hinted at pursuing other passions, like selling cheese in Japan—a quirky yet intriguing idea that’s sparked curiosity across the sport. But let’s not forget the what-ifs. On Saturday’s Queen stage to Nongla, Lafay came agonizingly close to victory, losing only to Paul Double’s daring solo breakaway. What if his teammate, Aurelien Paret-Peintre, hadn’t crashed before the final ascent? Could Lafay have sealed the win?
Lafay himself admits, ‘I think I had the legs to win. I gave it everything in the last 300 meters, but Double’s lead was just too much.’ It’s this uncertainty—the ‘what could have been’—that fuels his frustration and, perhaps, his hesitation about retiring. Stage 6 in Nanning could be his last chance to prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with, but will it be enough to sway his decision?
Here’s the burning question: Is Victor Lafay’s potential retirement a missed opportunity for cycling, or a bold move to prioritize personal fulfillment? Let’s spark a debate—do you think athletes should retire at their peak, or is there value in pushing through the struggles? Share your thoughts below, and let’s keep the conversation rolling!
