"My Tours have been partly an agony so far" - Fabio Jakobsen finds no comfort in Tour de France mountains

Fabio Jakobsen has struggled last year in the Tour de France's mountains, famously coming in within seconds of the time limit on Peyragudes. A pure sprinter, he can't handle the uphill terrain and the rhythm the Tour de France follows up them, and reports the suffering it takes just to continue in the race.

"When I look at what I've been through, I'm glad I made it. My Tours have been partly an agony so far. Although I thought it was just a bad day last year. And now also a bad day, but I think I'll get through it pretty well," Jakobsen told In de Leiderstrui. "That's my way of life. It's my hobby, passion and my job. And for the moment I think the only thing I can really do well."

Jakobsen's terrain is away from the climbs, however after he crashed at speed on stage 4 into Nogaro, his task was made even harder. Soudal - Quick-Step has been supporting him, with the European champion often struggling in the opening kilometers. Today may be similar with an explosive start in Vulcania. "I like cycling and competitions. And I think the highest achievable for a sprinter is a stage in the Tour, so as a top athlete you strive for that and I will continue to do so for a few more years."

"Those Alpine stages are not bad, so I hope especially on Wednesday that I can get involved. In the last bunch sprint I was of course one kilometer ahead, but then the tank was actually already empty. So I hope that with this rest day and tomorrow's (stage 10, ed.) ride I can recharge my legs and then have an explosion at the end on Wednesday," where he will find his next opportunity to fight for a win.