Opinion: Dylan Groenewegen’s comeback is just as significant as Fabio Jakobsen’s, it should be recognised as such

The headline statement is not to suggest, or an attempt to create, a hierarchy of suffering. Because it is not the place of any of us to do that. Ad/> What it is, however, is an invitation to recognise that the life of more than one young man was fundamentally altered on that fateful afternoon one year, 11 months and five days ago.

Tour de FranceGroenewegen had 'mental demons' from Jakobsen crash — McEwen14 HOURS AGO Since the finish-line crash on stage two of the 2020 Tour of Poland, almost every one of the umpteen articles written referencing the accident has focused on the rehabilitation, recovery and return to competitiveness of Fabio Jakobsen. To an extent it’s easy to see why. It was Jakobsen’s face that hit the barrier at 80 kilometres per hour.

He was the one who suffered a crushed palate and upper respiratory tract, a “craniocerebral trauma” and had to be put in a coma, close to death. Of the two riders involved in the crash, he was the one who had to undergo many surgeries and months of physical rehabilitation. It is also far too simplistic to focus only on Fabio.

Because, as Jakobsen has said, he also does not remember what happened. His conscience is completely clear. He knows he was not in any way culpable.

Psychologically the world has collectively told him: “you are the victim.” Jakobsen took part in a WorldTour race the following June. He finished second in a stage of the Vuelta a Espana a year and one week after the event, winning one two days later. His maiden Tour victory in Nyborg was a wonderful thing to witness.