Thijs Zonneveld from Vive le Vélo: ‘This is a continuation of Jacobsen’s comeback’ | Vive Le Velo

Thijs Zonneveld jumped at the last minute when Bradley Wiggins called off illness for Vive le Vélo. There is no better guest at a table than a Dutch columnist for explaining Fabio Jacobsen’s impressive story since the heavy plane crash in the Tour of Poland.

“This is a comeback finish. We knew it wouldn’t be surprising if he won a stage on the Tour, considering the number of races he won last year. But sometimes I have to make sure of the date it falls.”

Or the date I sat in front of him when he first gave an interview and how devastated he was then. His future was a big question mark. He didn’t even know if he could still ride a bike or ride at all and certainly not if he could. He could be a runner on top Level. That was Christmas 2020, so hardly a year and a half ago.”

“His contract then ran until the end of 2021 and he already had a scenario in mind that he would work in a factory this year. Instead, he’s now winning a Tour stage. We have to take that step back every time.”

Zonneveld saw Jacobsen change after his heavy fall. “When he was 18 he was a brag. He joked with everyone that he really had the biggest mouth on the table with his coaching staff. When he won the Scheldeprijs, he was more of a boy.”

“After the collapse, that changed dramatically. In his interview after Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, he immediately alluded to the war in Ukraine. It grew up literally in one fell swoop.”

Jacobsen not only won the sprint race at Nyborg, he also did not shy away from a duel with Peter Sagan, who took a risk as usual. Jacobsen threw himself into these turmoil without fear. “I think that was the best thing about his comeback. The question was whether he would physically improve, but whether you would throw yourself that way again…”

“He literally had to ask his fiancée: Are you ok with me cycling at all? She doesn’t look either, she goes to sit in the kitchen when there’s a sprint. Sagan is one of the biggest concrete blocks in the peloton. If he tries to put you aside and you don’t budge. An inch, I can hardly imagine you dare.”

Fabio Jacobsen also spoke briefly at Vive le Vélo with Martin Vangramburn. Unlike his teammate Yves Lambert the day before, Jacobsen was already aware.

“I can believe it. I lived up to that, and it was expected of me too. I’m glad he made it and that I can serve everyone in this way.
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“The atmosphere in the team was good yesterday after Yves’ victory. I was happy for him and I wanted it too. He said right away: ‘Tomorrow we’ll go for you. It’s great what Yves did for me. He came back that way after that fall showing his character. He’s in great shape. And a great teammate.”

Did Jacobsen actually receive a letter from Mark Cavendish, Martin wanted to know. “I haven’t checked my phone yet, but I’m sure he’s happy for me. He also advised me today to rely on my teammates, because that’s the top team. I followed that advice.”

Now Jacobsen is no longer the jockey who fell, but he might be the best runner in the world? I hope so, at least today I think. It’s almost a fairy tale, I’m so thankful that I can sit here and can talk about it.”

This fateful downfall in Poland dramatically changed Jacobsen’s character. “I
I don’t go crazy anymore and I don’t name people anymore. Not worth it. I’ve gotten ten years wiser in a year and a half.”