Fabio Jakobsen is the biggest sensation of DSM-Firmenich PostNL. In his first season with the Dutch team, he is scheduled to participate in the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. During a team media day, he expressed, “We will consider this year a real success if we manage to win stages in both the Giro and the Tour.”
All the pressure is on Fabio Jakobsen.
“Yes, but I’m used to it. Well, maybe not all the pressure. But in the races I compete in, it will always be my responsibility. That’s why I joined this team.”
“I have also noticed, during training, that there are strong cyclists, guys who are coming up. So no, I don’t think the team needs to worry about the future.”
How long did it take for DSM-Firmenich PostNL to attract you to join this team?
“They were interested for a long time, since my junior days. I always looked at Argos-Shimano and then Giant-Shimano with admiration. That was a team I could see myself joining, in the sprint train. I was fast back then, so yes, I always kept an eye on that team.”
How long do you think the team will take to organize the new sprint train?
“That’s hard to estimate. We might have hit the mark in the first race, but if not, then we have something to work on. I think we have enough potential with our sprint group.”
“There’s no immediate pressure for the first races. Everyone probably expects us to fail. If that’s really the case, then we can only improve. In any case, nothing is expected of us.”
Are the goals for this year the Giro and the Tour?
“Yes, I don’t live only for the Classics. At least, not the big Classics. This way, I can fully focus on preparing for the Giro and then continue on to the Tour. Ultimately, we want to win sprints. That’s the most important thing for me. That’s what I’m best at, so we are fully committed to it. Hence the combination of Giro-Tour.”
Fabio Jakobsen’s schedule for 2024.
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