“My legs exploded" - Fabio Jakobsen notably absent from first bunch sprint of 2024 Giro d'Italia

In the first opportunity for the sprinters at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL's powerhouse sprinter, Fabio Jakobsen was notably absent from the finale, crossing the line in 130th position.

“I had to let go of the wheels 500 meters from the top. My legs exploded,” the 27-year-old Dutchman explained in his post-stage interview with Eurosport, referring to the short, sharp climb that strung things out in the peloton with just over 3km to go as Tadej Pogacar and Geraint Thomas tried their luck on the attack. 

In the end, it was Jakobsen's teammate, Tobias Lund Andresen who sprinted for Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL, finishing a creditable 5th. “We agreed that Tobi could take his chance. He was super good, it's a shame he just couldn't win,” Jakobsen assesses. “Of course I prefer to sprint myself. But if it's not for me, it's for him.”

“We knew it was going to be tough today. I'm doing my best and now on to Tuesday. Tomorrow it will be the same final, but the slope will be a bit shorter," the six-time Grand Tour stage winner concludes. "We're just going to try again.”