"I have more trouble walking up the stairs than when I'm on my bike" - Fabio Jakobsen victorious despite lingering injuries

It was a highly contested sprint today at Tirreno-Adriatico. Fabio Jakobsen crashed at Le Samyn and he still feels the pain, but he's shown his very best level as he sprinted to victory today at the Italian race.

“Fernando actually timed it almost perfectly. At that time I was still behind Bert (Van Lerberghe, ed.) And actually wanted to go," Jakobsen said in a post-race interview. "But if you still have a teammate in front of you, it is sometimes better to wait a little longer. In the end it was an exciting sprint with three and my timing was good."

It was a very tense finale with plenty leadouts trying to get in the mix. Jakobsen had a big card to play, in a finale that was played to perfection. "Bert is a big and strong guy who catches a lot of wind. As a result, I was able to start the last 300 meters very fresh," he added. He used that freshness for a powerful sprint which earned him his second victory of the season.

“Although I have more trouble walking up the stairs than when I'm on my bike. I'm just doing my best. You have to get the opportunities and then take them. Today was one and I'm glad I got it," he concluded. Stage 3 tomorrow will be another opportunity for the European Champion who is under pressure to keep his position at the helm of Soudal - Quick-Step's sprinters.