Fabio Jakobsen abandons Tour de France

Dutch sprinter Fabio Jakobsen has withdrawn from the Tour de France prior to the 12th stage scheduled for Thursday. In a statement from his team, Soudal Quick-Step, he expressed that reaching Paris had become an insurmountable task for him after enduring a tough crash during Stage 4. The reigning European champion, Jakobsen went down hard at high speed during the fourth stage and has since struggled to recuperate. As a result, he made the decision to halt his participation ahead of a challenging mid-mountain stage, which will be followed by three grueling days in the Jura mountains and the Alps.

You’re an amazing fighter, @FabioJakobsen!

We can’t wait to see you back in action!#TDF2023

Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/7NemYTBm51

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) July 13, 2023

“Due to my stage-four crash, and after discussions with the team, we decided it’s better for me to stop my Tour de France journey here,“ Jakobsen said. ”At this point it seems impossible for me to get to Paris, as I am not recovering, and my body is not healing from the crash.”

Jakobsen had hoped to add some more wins to his palmarès after winning a stage in 2022.

“I’m very sad to leave the Grande Boucle,“ he added. “I will now take some time to recover and clear my head, and hopefully be back at my best later this season.”