Victor Lafay without contract for 2027 but refuses to call time on cycling
The Frenchman is not actively looking for a new team as he fights with a mysterious illness, but hopes to make a return to racing if his health improves.
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Victor Lafay’s future in the professional peloton remains uncertain after the Frenchman confirmed that he will depart Unibet Rose Rockets and will be without a contract for the 2027 season.
After a difficult two-year spell at Decathlon CMA CGM, the 30-year-old joined Unibet Rose Rockets this year with the ambition of rediscovering the form that saw him become a Giro d’Italia stage winner in 2021 and a Tour de France stage winner in 2023 while racing for Cofidis.
However, Lafay's ambitions were dashed by a mysterious illness that has left him struggling with severe fatigue since January and unable to make a single appearance for the French team this season.
Lafay last raced at the Tour of Guangxi in October 2025, where he finished second overall behind Paul Double.
In August, Lafay detailed the impact of the illness on his day-to-day life, and why a return to racing feels distant.
“After a couple of hours, I simply run out of energy,” Lafay said. “I can’t focus on the conversation anymore, my eyes start to feel heavy, and all I can think about is going home to sleep.”
Speaking to L’Equipe this week, Lafay has confirmed that his contract has not been renewed with Unibet Rose Rockets for 2027 and he isn’t actively searching for a new team.
“I won’t have a contract in 2027, and, furthermore, I’m not even looking for one,” Lafay told L’Equipe.
However, despite the lack of a contract for next season, Lafay is reluctant to call time on his career, and hopes there remains a possibility of returning if his health improves.
“That would feel like bringing something to an end that isn’t finished yet,” Lafay said. “I would like to race one or two more times, if the situation improves.
