Unibet Rose Rockets relaunch Victor Lafay: joining forces for 2026 goals
Unibet Rose Rockets proudly announce the signing of French rider Victor Lafay for the 2026 season. A stage winner in the Tour de France, Lafay joins the Rockets after a period in which he seriously considered stepping away from professional cycling altogether.
Once hailed as one of France’s brightest hopes, Lafay had reached a crossroads. Tired of the routine and the pressure, he was ready to close the book on cycling. He wanted to sell cheese in Japan or start a food truck by the lake in Annecy. But just as his career seemed to be taking a different direction, a call from Rockets team owner Bas Tietema changed everything.
Tietema reached out after hearing the news from Lafay’s management, convinced that Lafay’s story wasn’t finished yet. The two met in Annecy, shared a bike ride, and reignited something that had been missing: the pure joy of riding and the belief that cycling can be done differently.
Bas Tietema, team owner Unibet Rose Rockets
“From the first moment we spoke, I felt there was still so much fire left in Victor. He’s a rider who dares to be different, creative, explosive, and unafraid to follow his own path. In that sense, we really understand each other. Cycling can be a conservative world, but people like Victor remind us that personality and emotion belong in this sport. I’m proud he chose to continue his story with us.”
For Lafay, the Rockets’ philosophy was exactly what he needed to fall in love with cycling again.
Victor Lafay, newest signing of the Rockets for the 2026 season
“The story Bas told me, and what this team stands for, made me realize I wasn’t done yet. My love for the bike never really disappeared. It just needed the right environment to come alive again. Here, I feel I can be myself and play a real part in something exciting. I dream of getting good results again and of being on the start line of the Tour de France. I’ve never finished in Paris, and that’s something I still want to experience.”
Lafay, 29, turned professional in 2018 and quickly built a reputation as a sharp attacker and opportunist, capable of turning small chances into big victories. His career highlight so far came in 2023, when he won Stage 2 of the Tour de France with a trademark solo move that stunned favorites like Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert. Known for his intelligence, explosiveness, and ability to read a race like few others, Lafay brings flair, experience, and creativity to the growing Rockets roster.
With his arrival, the Unibet Rose Rockets continue to blend performance and personality, proving once again that the path to the top doesn’t have to follow the usual route.
