Fabio Jakobsen joining Team DSM-Firmenich "only a matter of time" according to reports

Fabio Jakobsen is widely expected to leave Soudal - Quick-Step. After favourite suitors, BORA - hansgrohe had pulled out of the race, rumours abounded about where the sprint ace may end up. Now, it seems a deal has been struck.

The 26-year-old Dutchman is set to join Team DSM-Firmenich with an official contract signing being "only a matter of time" according to WielerFlits sources. Jakobsen has been at the Soudal - Quick-Step set-up under its various guises for six years, winning six Grand Tour stages and taking the points jersey at the 2021 Vuelta a Espana.

Team DSM-Firmenich has a long history of sprint wins thanks to the likes of Marcel Kittel, John Degenkolb and more recently, Sam Welsford. With Jakobsen reportedly being one of two top targets for the team alongside Olav Kooij, Jakobsen was the deal done.

Currently, the team look likely to head into 2024 with a sprint train around Jakobsen with the likes of Tobias Lund Andresen, Pavel Bittner, John Degenkolb, Nils Eekhoff, Niklas Märkl and Casper van Uden. Meanwhile, Romain Bardet is expected to maintain the team's GC challenge.