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Jakobsen on the Vuelta Stage Win: “It’s a Dream Come True.”

By Monica Buck

He had to battle his way back after the horrible crash that happened a year ago at the Tour of Poland but he’s done it. And it felt really good to see Fabio Jakobsen in the Green Jersey after Vuelta’s stage 4. Jakobsen was perfectly placed by the Deceuninck – Quick-Step team before using Arnaud Démare’s (Groupama-FDJ) slipstream to power around and claim the win.

“It’s a dream come true,” Jakobsen admitted after the stage. “You know, after the crash, it was a long way back but I’m happy I’m here. It took a lot of time and a lot of effort has gone into this by a lot of other people and I think this is also their victory.”

The 24-year-old Dutch rider made his return to racing at the Tour of Turkey back in April and helped Mark Cavendish to take his four stage wins. Then in Algarve, he supported Sam Bennett. And then at the Tour of Wallonie, he won two stages against the sprinters of the likes of Giacomo Nizzolo (Qhubeka-NextHash). He seems to be in perfect form now and is grateful to everyone who helped him get there.

“Talking about all the doctors, surgeons and medical staff in Poland, to my second family here, the team and everybody in between, this is also their victory,” he said. “It’s also my family’s victory because they are the reason I am here.”

Will he retain the Škoda Green Jersey? Today’s flat stage will offer him another chance.