"I just wanted a neutral, independent view" - Fabio Jakobsen went to ask for help in his former team to get a diagnosis

Fabio Jakobsen has finally undergone a double femoral artery surgery two months ago. That's why the winner of six Grand Tour stages wasn't seen in action lately, but the updates from the Dutchman seem quite promising after what was a challenging period for the 28-year-old who already had his share of hardships.

"It's not always immediately visible on a CT scan," said Jakobsen in the Speed on Wheels podcast. Already at the Picnic PostNL winter camp, the suspicion of such injury arised. "We did a test to rule it out. I had heard so much about it: it's always one leg, a numb feeling. I didn't have any of that; I just had the acidification I was used to. I just couldn't sprint anymore."

"I just wanted a neutral, independent view of what might be going on. Away from the media and my current advisors, purely for myself." That's how he ended up at the door of his former employer Soudal - Quick-Step. To be clear: just for the testing. If the test showed more than 9% deviation in one of the legs, the artery could be narrowed. Jakobsen's results: 37% and 42%.

There was no way around it - a surgery was necessary to return the Dutchman back on track. "I still had two races scheduled because this was after Paris-Nice. Your world kind of collapses because I had a dream of winning in Lille. You see that dream vanish right before your eyes. My mind was racing faster than the doctor could talk."

After such a major surgery, the dream of fighting for yellow jersey at Grande Boucle seems quite distant, even if not entirely gone. "It will be very tight; I can't say yes or no. But the chance that I won't go is much greater than the chance that I will. Other guys are in top shape, and they deserve the opportunity to ride, too. You never know, but it's a tiny chance."

Niki Terpstra is of the opinion that Jakobsen should, above all, prioritize making a full recovery. "Please get it out of your head. If you have a goal that is not realistic, you will push yourself too hard. I have had many injuries and have made that mistake often enough," said the former professional cyclist.

If Jakobsen can really get back to his prime, there'll be many more Tour de France victories to come. And who knows, the Grand Départ in UK in two years from now could be a chance for sprinter again...