"I think there is where I suffered the most" - Jakobsen giving it everything to survive mountainous Tour de France

Whilst in the front of the race we have the battle for the yellow jersey between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour de France, behind there are different goals as many just try to survive the tough days ahead.

"For sure, the Galibier is not my best friend. I think there is where I suffered the most, especially in the last four or five kilometres. But I made the time cut so goal achieved," Jakobsen told CyclingWeekly at the end of stage 11 where he was the last rider to cross the line over 40 minutes down on Jonas Vingegaard.

With an equally hard day in the mountains ahead, the Dutchman needs to resist and will need the support of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team to stay in the race - as will need several other riders who have been in difficulties in the mountains.

"I didn't think much today - I just pushed one leg in front of the other. In the end everybody was convinced I could do it, so I went out there and fought," he said. "There's usually two or three tough days in a Grand Tour, and I would put this one in the top-five for sure."

As for today's challenge it starts with an uphill, the ascent to the Col du Galibier via Lautaret, followed by the Col de la Croix de Fer and the Alpe d'Huez packed into 165 kilometers. It will be a tough challenge, but one that the second placed in the points classification is ready for.

"It's going to be the same I think. It's going to be a big fight. Let's hope I can make it. You never know. This is cycling: we fight day-by-day, and for sure Thursday is going to be the hardest. But you never know what will happen after that. I would say that there is a good chance of making Paris if I survive," he concluded.