There are certain victories that count more than others in a sprinter's career.
And this Wednesday is, without a doubt, a milestone day for Fabio Jakobsen (Deceunink-Quick Step).
The Dutch rider won the second stage of the Tour de Wallonie, in Zulder.
This is his first victory since his return to competition, after his terrible fall on August 5.
Victory of @FabioJakobsen @deceuninck_qst at @CircuitZolder 👍👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UJe8IRh3FA
- Tour de Wallonie & GP Wallonie (@tourdewallonie) July 21, 2021
Sent to the barriers by Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) during the Tour of Poland, the 24-year-old rider came very close to death.
With 130 stitches in his face, the Dutchman went through a long Stations of the Cross to return to the highest level.
Since his comeback last April in Turkey, the sprinter had never been able to enter the Top 20 of a stage.
Almost a year after his very serious injury, Jakobsen won his bet and can once again raise his arms to the finish line.
Quite simply a miracle.
"I continued to fight"
A victory full of emotion for Julian Alaphilippe's teammate: “I think we can say that I'm back.
To be able to sprint and win is a big relief for me, continues the former Dutch champion.
I have to thank a lot of people: my girlfriend, my family, the doctors and the team… Without them it would not have been possible.
This victory is also theirs.
"
We love you too, @FabioJakobsen đź’™ pic.twitter.com/bXdDomFp0z
- Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) July 21, 2021
The Deceunink-Quick Step runner has come a long way.
“The last few months have been a process where I took step by step, I had to face setbacks at times, but I continued to fight and believe in myself,” said Fabio Jakobsen. in a video on social media.
"I helped Fabio Jakobsen stay alive"
A special moment also for Florian Sénéchal.
The French rider was closest to Jakobsen when he fell last year.
“I will never be able to forget what I experienced that day, by his side.
Close to death.
I didn't recognize him.
I immediately understood that he was choking, my first instinct was to take his head and raise it very slowly to prevent the blood from going back to the brain, ”had detailed the Northerner in the columns. of the team.
🇫🇷 1 year ago I helped @FabioJakobsen stay alive.
Today I helped him win.
I have pride and respect for him and his family.
🇬🇧 A year ago I helped Fabio to stay alive.
Today I helped him win.
I feel proud and send my respects to him & his family https://t.co/7KluDNjsFi
- Florian Senechal-Staelens (@flosenech) July 21, 2021
This Wednesday, Sénéchal was again in the final packaging to allow his teammate to win.
A nice nod to fate that the Habs relayed on Twitter: “A year ago, I helped Fabio Jakobsen stay alive.
Today I helped him win.
“The friends of the Belgian training have remained extremely close since this event which marked their lives.
The stars align with the Tour de Wallonie
Another irony of fate, and not the least. The day before, Dylan Groenewegen, at fault for the fall of his compatriot and suspended for 9 months, had won stage n ° 1 of the Tour de Wallonie. His first victory, too, since his return to competition. The two riders, on the other hand, never crossed paths in these two sprints. Jakobsen finished 21st on Tuesday, while Groenewegen only finished 15th in Stage 2. On the other hand, in general, the sprinters do not let go. The resident of the Jumbo-Visma occupies the head, in the same second, as Fabio Jakobsen.
Not sure that this is enough to mend the two Dutch, cold after the lack of apology from Groenewegen. Primoz Roglic's teammate nevertheless congratulated the winner of the day on his winning comeback: “Bravo Fabio Jakobsen. Respect for your return to the bike. "
