2023 Season, Grand Tours, Tour de France

Tour Moments of Joy: Stage 1 – Lafay Lights it UP

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Hello and welcome to the VeloVoices Tour de France Moments of Joy, wherein the VeloVoices crew pick out one moment from the Tour stage that made us smile, gasp, clap hands, yell, cheer or other expressions of joy. These precious moments may include the stage win, the peloton, the racing but equally they could be something small that caught our eye along the way that has little to do with the racing. So, as they say en  Francais: fais comme chez toi – pull up a chair and make yourself at home in VeloVoices Tower for Midge’s moment

I had made my mind up on my moment before the flag dropped this morning, and I was happily composing my words on National Champions jerseys until the final climb, when I looked up to see a Cofidis rider on the shoulders of Tadej Pogacar (Team UAE) and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma)!! As my commentators struggled to identify him, I spotted those dark locks and that swashbuckling stubble immediately – it was none other than Victor Lafay.  Toe-to-toe with the two top favourites for Le Tour. AND THEN! Not content with matching their pace, he swung out and zipped past them. Oh it was marvellous.

Look at him go

Cofidis twitter taking the words out of my mouth

He was a little disappointed after the stage because he knew he was great shape.

I trusted myself. Anyway, in these moments, you have to tell yourself that you are the proudest, even if it means exploding.

I am thrilled for Victor, he is on great form and he is never afraid of attacking. Surely that longed for Tour de France victory for Cofidis can’t be far away. Surely they will take one this year. WE BELIEVE!

French (and my own)  joy continued at the finish. THREE RIDERS IN THE TOP TEN!!!

Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé!

Stage results

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