Anyone who watched Fabio Jakobsen's fall believed him dead or, at the very least, unfit to get back on a competitive bike.
And yet, the former Dutch champion, rebuilt, will be at the start of the Tour of Turkey on Sunday April 11, eight months after the accident.
On August 5, 2020, during the massive sprint of the opening stage in Katowice, Jakobsen was stranded against the barriers at high speed in the massive sprint by his compatriot Dylan Groenewegen - who received a nine-month suspension for his conduct.
Jakobsen had been thrown over the barriers and seriously hit.
He lost almost all of his teeth in the accident.
We are happy to give you our team for the @tourofturkeyTUR, where @FabioJakobsen will make his first appearance in more than seven months for #TheWolfpack: https://t.co/Xzm5dC0RMv pic.twitter.com/fvqYUdcNRS
- Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) April 8, 2021
The runner underwent a first five-hour facial operation at a Polish hospital, where he had no less than 130 stitches.
He must have been kept in an induced coma for several days due to the severity of his condition.
Subsequently, Jakobsen underwent several operations, including reconstructive facial surgery.
"The light at the end of the tunnel"
“There is light at the end of the tunnel and I'm going,” he posted on a social network, before going back to the operating table, a month ago.
Jakobsen received dental implants on both jaws.
Surgeons also treated scars on her mouth.
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"Almost time to restart!"
wrote on Twitter at the same time Jakobsen, who returned to training in February with his team.
The healing process is going well.
The past three weeks have been painful and I have had difficulty eating and drinking.
Implants and screws are properly installed.
The reconstruction of the tissue around the scar is going well.
It will take another four or five months for everything to heal.
"
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Well on the way to his recovery, the athlete also asked his partner in marriage in mid-March.
FOTO: Fabio Jakobsen oui zijn vriendin ten huwelijkhttps: //t.co/IXp4iri2HS pic.twitter.com/bDjX576FC0
- Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) March 17, 2021
"I don't think he will be afraid to embark on a massive sprint," assures Yvan Vanmol, doctor of the Deceuninck - Quick Step team.
Fabio Jakobsen is fit to resume competition.
"
With a course in Turkey offering four or even five finishes that can be played in a sprint, the Dutchman will undoubtedly have the opportunity to test whether he is still the sprinter he was.