Lafay leaves Unibet Rose Rockets, without riding a single kilometre for them: 'I haven’t given up hope'

Victor Lafay has officially left the Unibet Rose Rockets. The 30-year-old Frenchman joined Bas Tietema’s team a year ago full of ambition, but due to a mysterious virus —contracted in Asia in January—he ultimately didn’t ride a single kilometre for the Rockets. Nevertheless, he is grateful to the team for a difficult year.

"Not the way I wanted to say goodbye," begins Lafay's message to his team and everyone who supports the Unibet Rose Rockets. "Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to race in the Rockets’ colors, and that won’t change in the near future, much to my regret."

"My health hasn't improved as much as I'd hoped, and I'm still struggling with the same virus that has kept me out of racing this season," said the unlucky Frenchman, who has won a stage in both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France during his career. At the moment, however, he is unable to ride because of constant fatigue.

"That's also why we decided not to renew my contract with the Rockets, and to be honest, I'm not looking for a new contract either. Right now, my health has to come first, and that’s the only thing that matters,” says Lafay, whose contract with Tietema’s team was set to expire; he had signed a one-year deal with them a year ago.

"Of course, that's hard to accept," Lafay continues. “I still have that fire inside me—the motivation and love for cycling—that makes it hard to say this is the end. I haven’t given up hope of putting on a jersey again someday, even though I don’t know when—or if—that moment will come.”

The climber concluded with kind words for his team. “I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve received during this difficult time, especially from everyone at the Rockets. It means the world to me, and I can’t thank them enough. Even though I won’t be under contract next season, the team management has made it clear that they will continue to support me in every way possible.”

"It might be a cliché, but I really hope this isn't a goodbye, but rather a 'see you later.' For now, my focus is on getting better, taking it one day at a time, and hopefully finding my way back to a normal life."