A very high speed sprint, an incongruous stroller and a shock of terrible violence. The frightening images of Fabio Jakobsen's accident on Wednesday at the finish of the 1st stage of the Tour of Poland are looping on social networks. Many members of the peloton, yesterday or today, have expressed their emotion and support for the Dutch rider, in a coma but in stable condition this Thursday morning. "Let us pray for our friend Fabio", tweeted the Belgian Philippe Gilbert, imitated by the Italian Vincenzo Nibali, "go Fabio, stay strong". "Come on Fabio, win this battle, everyone is praying for you," wrote his teammate at Deceuninck-Quick Step Yves Lampaert, who suffered a broken collarbone in Milan-Turin on Wednesday.
"They have to put this Jumbo-Visma guy in jail"
Patrick Lefévère, manager of Deceuninck-Quick StepThe boss of their team, Patrick Lefévère, struggled to contain his anger against Dylan Groenewegen, author of the stroller that caused the accident in Jakobsen. “They have to put this Jumbo-Visma guy in jail. I will go to court, this kind of gesture should be banned from cycling. It is a criminal act Mr. Groenewegen ”, expressed the Belgian leader on Twitter.
They have to put this guy of @TeamJumbo in jail
- Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) August 5, 2020The Groenewegen team, Jumbo-Visma, offered their "sincere apologies". “Our hearts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and everyone involved in this terrible crash. This kind of accident should not happen. We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss what happened internally before making more comments, ”commented the Dutch team.
Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland. Crashes like these should not happen.
We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement. # TDP20
For his part, the French runner Rudy Barbier (Israel Start-Up Nation) tried to calm the spirits, Dylan Groenewegen wiping a wave of criticism for his gesture. “'Unpardonable, inexcusable' guys, quiet about what you say. I also find, like everyone else, that the fault is grotesque but let's wait for news, hopefully reassuring, from Jakobsen in priority rather than going after Groenewegen ”, estimates the future teammate of Chris Froome.
"Unforgivable, inexcusable" guys quiet about your words. I also find, like everyone else, that the fault is grotesque but let's wait for some reassuring news, I hope, from Jakobsen in priority rather than going after Groenewegen. #timepourtout
- Rudy Barbier (@ rudybarbier75) August 5, 2020Simon Geschke (CCC), on the other hand, blames the organizer of the Tour of Poland. “Every year we have the same stupid finish with a downhill sprint. Every year I wonder why the organization thinks this is a good idea. Massive sprints are already dangerous enough, we don't need a downhill finish at 80km / h, ”insists the German. His compatriot Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) says he “ totally agrees” with him.
Every year the same silly downhill sprint in the @Tour_de_Pologne.
Every year i ask myself why the organization thinks it'sa good idea. Bunch sprints are dangerous enough, you don't need a downhill finish with 80kph! @Cpacycling
Shocked, Belgian veteran Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) needed reassurance: “The only thing to do after a day like this is to call his wife and children to tell them that we love". From the United States, cycling pariah Lance Armstrong also expressed his emotion: “Thoughts and prayers for Fabio Jakobsen. Hang on friend. I have been playing this game for a long time and I don't believe I have seen such a horrible crash. Be strong Fabio! ”
Thoughts and prayers go out to Fabio Jakobsen. Hang in there buddy. Been around this game a long time and not sure I've seen a crash that horrific. FabioSTRONG!
- Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) August 5, 2020Read also
- Stable state for Jakobsen after his terrible fall, his director denounces a "criminal act"
