"I don't have the easiest body to get into a jersey, especially in terms of legs" - Fabio Jakobsen excited for Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL debut in Oman

Fabio Jakobsen will ride the first race of his new era on Friday as he shows off the colours of Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL for the first time at the Muscat Classic in Oman.

“I'm in good shape. Not far from the shape I want to have in the spring,” says Jakobsen, who will race the Tour of Oman next week, in conversation with Wielerflits. “It is of course just a preparation race for me. So it remains to be seen how you can measure up to the rest in the race itself. But the data says I'm ready and I feel ready. The combination of the two gives confidence that it must be good.”

A properly powerful unit, moving teams brings added difficulties for someone like Jakobsen, problems that many fans may not take into account initially. "Different sponsors, different material: that always requires some trial and error. I don't have the easiest body to get into a uniform, especially in terms of legs," laughs the Dutch sprint star. "So yeah, it's always exciting, but it's pretty good.”

On his targets for his time in Oman, developing a connection with his sprint train will be key for the 27-year-old. “Especially that we work well together and that we get used to each other. Winning would of course be the best thing in that sprint stage. But if that doesn't work, there's nothing to lose. We have to make a plan and try to implement it," Jakobsen explains.

"I think I have the legs, but that will have to be seen when we are in the last two to three hundred meters. We are all motivated. It's a new start, with a new team. Then we shouldn't put too much pressure on that first course. There are still plenty of opportunities to come in that entire block in the Middle East with enough sprints and then Paris-Nice.”

“We have a fairly fixed order with Julius van den Berg first and then Timo Roosen. And then Tobias Lund Andersen and myself," he concludes. "We have to see how we do it with Tim Naberman, Warren Barguil and Frank van den Broek. Who feels good, who feels comfortable with which task? But with those last three men in front of me I will start the last kilometres and then we will see.”