The hero of the day, Victor Lafay, returned to this first stage victory in the Tour de France, under the nose and beard of Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar. He also confided in his character, his current form and his past galleys.
How did you experience this last mile?
VICTOR LAFAY. Not so good, because it was really hard! The first 500 meters was with euphoria, the last 500 with toxins, it was really difficult. I only turned around once, I saw that there was only a small gap. I wasn’t sure how fast they were going. I saw the line, I saw on my counter 400 m, 300 m… I gave everything I had. At one point I “got a little bit”, because I really wanted to keep up the pace, I said to myself: I hope that’s not what’s going to make me lose… and then I cross the line in front, it’s incredible.
Since when did you believe it?
I started to believe it when I saw that I had left alone. But then I said to myself: maybe I got a little on fire… I saw my watts, I left quickly, I was not sure not to explode completely before the end… But afterwards, I really realized , I only really believed it once the line had passed. I remembered Benjamin Thomas last year who got caught at the very end, I knew we could get caught even 10m before the line. So don’t think it’s done, you have to give everything until after the line.
???????????? French victory from the 2nd stage of the Tour de France! Victor Lafay did it: a sharp attack under the red flame and the Cofidis rider resists the return of the big names to raise his arms in San Sebastian! #LesRP #TDF203 pic.twitter.com/5BqL7XbGU4
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 2, 2023
Did you prepare your shot?
It was still premeditated. As much yesterday (Saturday), I hadn’t planned what to do when I had switched with Pogacar and Vingegaard, as much today, I already knew that I was not going to attack in the last little bump, because the strong ones were there, I didn’t have the legs to do it. I said to myself: I’m waiting, I’m leaving and it “landed” a kilometer away. I really told myself that I would not wait for the sprint and that I would attack in the last kilometer. I had prepared my move a bit. I had seen that the Jumbo had a little trouble in the final to control those who came out. That was really premeditated.
Your good step the day before gave you confidence?
It was more frustration. I was not happy with myself, plus there was the yellow jersey at the end. We had remade the film with Anthony (Perez, his teammate). He said to me: you did something crazy…
“Winning the Tour is a childhood dream. That’s why we all ride bikes. »
Victor Lafay
He says you’re a “dumb”…
Yes (laughs). He’s a good one too… We both get along well, he knows that I’m quite extreme, and when I have something in mind, it can’t be taken away from me. And there today… Pfiouu I really wanted to tear myself away. If it is tomorrow I will be in complete cabbage, but it does not matter! Winning the Tour is a childhood dream. That’s why we all ride bikes. It’s a thing to check, and that’s it, I hope there will be others. It was crazy stuff.
It’s a great reward after a few galleys…
It’s true that I’ve had a lot, it always falls on the same people… But hey, I know how to get back into it each time, get out of it. This year, the Covid and my non-participation in the Giro were a real blow. In addition at that time, I separated with my girlfriend, it was not necessarily easy. And I stayed the course, I said to myself: there are the French championships. It didn’t, but it does on the Tour, it’s even better!
Are you in the shape of your life?
Each year I see that I am more and more solid, each race I am more and more present, the legs are there every day. Before, I had one day well, another without. And now I’m much more regular. I earn 5, 10% every year. It’s crazy… If I continue like this, I’m going to the moon! (Laughs)