‘It won’t get better than this’ – Fabio Jakobsen on horror crash return and Tour de France bow

On Monday afternoon, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl announced their squad for the Tour de France, and in so doing finally answered the question that has been hanging over the team since the start of the season: which of their star strikers will lead the line for three weeks in July? Much of the media reaction — at least on this side of La Manche — has focussed on the (Manx)man who was not among the eight. Under-remarked upon was quite what an achievement it is for Fabio Jakobsen to be selected. Ad/> Although three stage wins at last year’s Vuelta meant the Dutchman had arguably already completed his comeback from the devastating injuries suffered at the 2020 Tour of Poland, the Tour de France is a league above.

Some even say it's a de facto World Championships of sprinting. Tour de FranceCavendish snubbed from Tour again after team-mate tests positive for CovidAN HOUR AGO That Jakobsen’s place in the line-up has come at the expense of last year’s green jersey, and winner of four Tour stages last summer, only serves to underline how far he has come. It also amplifies the scrutiny, intensifies the pressure and raises the already high expectations that come with riding for the winningest outfit in cycling.

Patrick Lefevere’s team of rivals has averaged an unmatched 3.1 wins across the last 10 editions of the Tour de France. That means that in his first ever appearance at the Grand Boucle, Jakobsen will be expected to deliver from day one. Well actually day two, because no one really thinks he’s going to beat Filippo Ganna in the opening stage time trial.