Published on : 07/01/2023
The riders set off in Basque fervor on Saturday. The final climb, the côte de Pike, was a real spectacle, with all the big favourites and a Cofidis rider in their midst: Victor Lafay. The latter worked hard and held the pace before finishing in 6th place. A perfect start to the Tour de France!
It's a suspended moment like so many the Tour de France has to offer. A moment of intense fervor, when the road is barely visible and the riders try to make their way through the joyful, colorful mass. There was an air of Ardennaises or even of an Alpine stage to admire the spectacle offered at Pike, the final difficulty with around ten kilometers to go.
Victor, used to this type of exercise
As expected, the big favourites, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, took a few hundred metres lead over their pursuers. And with them, a young Frenchman, concentrated, diligent and determined. Victor Lafay kept pace with them right up to the top of the climb.
In the end, he finished in 6th place, once again demonstrating his ease in this type of exercise. It was when the road climbs that he won a stage at the Giro (in 2021), and then held the pace after an acceleration by Tadej Pogacar at Tirreno-Adriatico (2022).
Looking forward to what's next
Victor Lafay demonstrates that he has the form and motivation to be a contender for stage wins. Above all, he enthusiastically launches the Cofidis Tour de France. The team has shown composure and consistency. Ion Izagirre, Anthony Pérez and Guillaume Martin were at the front of the race for a long time. The Norman rider finished just 47 seconds behind the stage winner.
In any case, this scenario allows us to enter fully into the Grande Boucle with all that goes with it: roadside excitement, a battle for every moment and a hell of a lot of intensity. The biggest cycling race of the season is well and truly underway.
THEY SAID
Victor Lafay: "To be able to ride in the same tempo as Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard was really incredible. I told my team-mates that I was feeling really good today. When I got in front, Pogacar immediately took my wheel and behind him he had a team-mate to take advantage of the situation. At times like that, you have to be able to trust yourself. I'm obviously a little disappointed not to have been in contention for victory. I was in great physical condition and didn't necessarily take advantage of it. As soon as the Yates brothers passed, I should have followed him. It's a shame the finish wasn't at the top of the climb. In any case, I'm in good condition, so that makes me optimistic for what's to come!"
Bingen Fernandez: "It was without doubt the toughest 1st stage of the Tour de France for ten years. The absence of rain, the fact that we had beautiful roads throughout the stage, there was perhaps a little less stress in the peloton. In the final climb, Victor (Lafay) was fantastic, keeping pace with Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Guillaume (Martin) also did a great job. Tomorrow, the Jaizkibel climb promises to be quite a battle, and it will be vital to be well placed. It's going to be a steamroller stage!