Fabio Jakobsen "on schedule" for Tour de France after third place at Elfstedenronde Brugge

The Elfstedenronde Brugge classic saw some of the world's best sprinters go head to head yesterday, whilst the World Tour calendar saw the Criterium du Dauphiné and Tour de Suisse end and start simultaneously. Fabio Jakobsen is following a secondary preparation but is on track ahead of the Tour de France. 

The Belgian route to the Tour, not featuring mountains as in both World Tour races, has become quite attractive to some, including Mathieu van der Poel but also many of the sprinters. In the cobbled classic in Brugge yesterday the European Champion had to battle alongside fast men such as Jasper Philipsen, Caleb Ewan, Gerben Thijssen and Alexander Kristoff. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider took the victory on the day, whilst Jakobsen sprinted to third out of a reduced bunch sprint.

"Jasper Philipsen was the fastest today. I felt good, but maybe I had to give a little too much in the last kilometer. Especially in this heat, and I'm coming back from altitude training. The line is rising and I feel good. It's still 20 days before the Tour and I'm on schedule," Jakobsen said in a post-race interview.

Having a very strong leadout in front of him, Jakobsen now sets off for the Baloise Belgium Tour where he should once again meet all the fast men he has raced alongside this Sunday.