Sometimes a career path says more than any list of victories. Fabio Jakobsen is one of those cyclists who are remembered not only for their successes, but above all for their story. After some difficult years and a slump in form, the Dutchman is now making another fresh start. From the 2027 season onwards, Jakobsen will ride for Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The hope is that he will regain his former strength and return to the world’s elite sprinters.
From exceptional talent to fighter
When Fabio Jakobsen first made a name for himself at Deceuninck–Quick-Step at the start of his professional career, he was regarded as one of the greatest sprinting talents of his generation. With his explosive acceleration, he won races one after the other and quickly established himself amongst the world’s very best.
However, in August 2020, his career took a dramatic turn. At the opening stage of the Tour of Poland, Jakobsen suffered a serious fall in the bunch sprint following a collision with Dylan Groenewegen. The Dutchman suffered life-threatening injuries to his face, was subsequently in a coma for several days and had to undergo a number of operations. For a long time, it was unclear whether he would ever ride professionally again.
The very fact that Fabio Jakobsen returned to racing at all was nothing short of a minor miracle. But he didn’t stop there. Following his comeback, he fought his way back to the very top of the world rankings, step by step.
The Successful Return
The years 2021 and 2022 in particular demonstrated just how mentally strong Jakobsen is. He won numerous races, claimed three stage victories at the Vuelta a España and was once again regularly among the most successful sprinters in the peloton.
Many observers felt that he had finally returned to his former form. Fabio Jakobsen was once again regarded as one of the fastest men in the world and seemed set to dominate the sport for years to come.
The turning point from 2023 onwards
But it was precisely at this point that his form began to decline again. Whilst the competition was growing ever stronger, with riders such as Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier and Jonathan Milan, Jakobsen found it increasingly difficult to secure the decisive sprint positions.
Victories became fewer and farther between, and the really big wins failed to materialise. Physical setbacks and a lack of self-confidence also played a part. The Dutchman often no longer seemed as carefree and dominant as he had been in his prime.
For the 2024 season, he therefore moved to what was then Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, now Team Picnic PostNL. A new environment, new kit, new impetus. Yet the hoped-for turnaround largely failed to materialise. Fabio Jakobsen continued to struggle with his form and was rarely able to recapture his former glory. He recorded just a single stage victory during this period – a sprint finish at the Tour of Turkey.
Why Visma could be a good opportunity
The move to Visma | Lease a Bike marks the start of a new chapter. And the conditions for a successful fresh start could hardly be better.
The Dutch team has been one of the most professional organisations in cycling for years. Visma has repeatedly demonstrated that it can not only help riders perform better, but also help them bounce back after difficult periods. The team works meticulously in the areas of training, performance analysis and race strategy. And there is another thing that sets them apart: the team does not just sign the very biggest names, but also gives talented young riders – and indeed professionals like Jakobsen – a genuine chance.
For Fabio Jakobsen, it is likely to be particularly important to return to an environment that places its trust in him in the long term. As one of the few proven top sprinters in the squad, he could be given a clearly defined role at Visma.
Is a return to the world’s elite a realistic prospect?
The big question, of course, is whether Jakobsen can still compete for victories in the Tour de France. At 30, the Dutchman is by no means too old for a sprinter. Many riders of this type actually reach their peak around this age. However, the standard in international sprinting has risen enormously in recent years.
A return to absolute dominance therefore seems unlikely. Nevertheless, it would come as no surprise if Jakobsen were to start racking up victories more regularly at Visma and regain his confidence. He still possesses the raw speed; the key will be whether he can regain the physical and mental consistency he showed in previous years.
Leon Weidner
Editor