European Champion Fabio Jakobsen signs with Team DSM-Firmenich - "This is a team where I know I won’t be on my own"

The rumours had this transfer virtually confirmed for several weeks already and today it has been made public. Fabio Jakobsen, European Champion and top sprinter, will be joining the Dutch Team DSM-Firmenich in what is one of the biggest moves so far in this transfer season.

“Sportive wise, everyone knows that Fabio is one of the top sprinters in the world and we’re happy to have him as part of our team," team's head coach Rudi Kemna said in a press release. "We had really nice conversations about our goals of winning sprints at the highest level together and how we will go about achieving that. Fabio has a really strong character, and he is a very determined and resilient individual. He always wants to get the most out of himself and those around him; and that is something we really admire and adhere to as a team as well. We’re looking forward to the coming years together as we bring our sprint group to the highest level.”

Being Dutch himself it was a logical team to move into. DSM has seen the departure of Alberto Dainese and Marius Mayrhofer and it is said that Sam Welsford will move into BORA - hansgrohe next season to replace Sam Bennett. DSM would be left empty handed in the sprints but with the budget that's been freed they have contacted Jakobsen.

Jakobsen is leaving Soudal - Quick-Step after signing with them initially in 2018, and has spent his elite years fully in the Belgian team. Within these, besides the triumphs such as the European Championships, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana stages, was also the 2020 Tour de Pologne crash which almost ended his life. His recovery was one of incredible inspiration and a feat of indescribable persistency, and after his return to pro cycling in 2021 is when he found his best level, having become a dominant figure in the peloton. This year that hasn't been the case, and with Tim Merlier already present as a big sprinter, alongside the team's need to free up spots and budget to support Remco Evenepoel, Jakobsen's departure became clear.

"I think this team has a legacy and it’s an honour to become a part of it... I have had some beautiful moments and nice memories but I’m only turning 27 at the end of the month so I still think I have more good years in the legs, and I’m really motivated to be fast and to win together," Jakobsen said himself. "In top sport you always aim for the highest and there are always areas for improvement, and I think that is something which I know I can do here."

“As a sprinter you cannot win alone. You need teammates to pull, help you over the mountains, help you on those difficult days, position you for the sprint, and of course the team off the bike too. That is one of the reasons why I am here; this is a team where I know I won’t be on my own. I will get that support which is then the basis of being able to sprint for victory."