Fabio Jakobsen on the accident with Dylan Groenewegen: "This is a sport, not a war, where there are no limits"

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Fabio Jakobsen (left) crashed into the barrier during the Tour of Poland - meanwhile he can cycle again

Photo: Tomasz Markowski / AP

After his serious accident on the Tour of Poland last August, professional cyclist Fabio Jakobsen is able to train again - at least at the “coffee speed”, as he told the Dutch newspaper “AD” in his first interview since the fall.

He dealt with the accident in which he broke several bones, was in a coma for two days and then feared for his life in the intensive care unit, but not.

Jakobsen was pushed into the barricade by compatriot Dylan Groenewegen in the finish sprint of the first stage of the Tour of Poland at a speed of over 80 kilometers per hour.

When asked whether he blamed Groenewegen, Jakobsen said, “Yes, in a way.

I'm not open minded enough to say it's not his fault.

Most of all I am sorry.

Sorry for me, for him, for our teams. "

Jakobsen watched the television footage of the accident.

Jakobsen cannot understand the reason for Groenewegen's actions.

“It's hard for me to understand why he did this.

Didn't he see me

Did he take too much risk?

Did he want to win at all costs? "Said the 24-year-old." He should have considered the consequences.

We are human beings, not animals.

It's a sport, not a war, where there are no limits. "

Jakobsen not yet ready to meet Groenewegen

Groenewegen and he exchanged messages, said Jakobsen.

Groenewegen also asked for a meeting.

“I can understand that this is a heavy burden on his soul and that he wants to end it.

But I'm not ready for it yet.

First of all, I want to learn more about how my healing process is progressing.

The better I feel, the better it is for him, ”said Jakobsen.

Groenewegen did not want to hurt him.

However, Jakobsen is critical of the length of the ban on his compatriot.

Nine months are a long time, but a large part of the ban falls during the season break.

Groenewegen actually only misses about two months of the regular racing season - that's not enough for Jakobsen.

"You have to remember that he risked someone's life because he sprinted so dangerously," said Jakobsen.

“We have to finish kamikaze style sprinting regardless of other riders.

This incident should serve as a precedent: The next one who pulls something like this will be banned for at least half a year. «In the past, racing juries have not taken action consistently.

Jakobsen assumes that in the future he will be physically able to drive professional races again.

"AD" asked if he could get the courage to sprint again.

"I think so," Jakobsen said: "But I'll only know for sure when I'm in the middle of a mass sprint."

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