Team Cofidis (France) - Press Release: He took a chance, believed in it right to the end, and gave himself one of the greatest joys in the career of a professional rider. For the first time since 2008, a Cofidis rider raised his arms in the Tour de France. It was a moment of sweet euphoria and, above all, a moment in history.

You had to hold on, resist everything, find the deepest part of yourself to win. Victor Lafay tried his luck with less than a kilometer to go, he knew he had a chance and he stuck with it. The Savoyard patiently held on to his place among the leaders before pulling away from the favourites to make his move. His victorious attempt was an example of daring, of surpassing oneself and of the energy needed to reach cycling's finest emotions. Having won the Giro (2021), he can now taste the euphoria of a Tour victory. 

What follows are the small pleasures of victory: congratulations from Christian Prudhomme, a hug from Tadej Pogačar, hugs from Thierry Vittu and Cedric Vasseur, the incongruity of the green jersey, the crowd at the bus and the joy of his team-mates.