"The fact that he has a team at all is already remarkable": Pundits react to Fabio Jakobsen’s potential career-saving Visma switch
CyclingWednesday, 05 August 2026 at 03:00
Fabio Jakobsen's expected move to Team Visma | Lease a Bike has sent shockwaves through the cycling world. While the Dutch team has yet to officially confirm the transfer, Team Picnic PostNL has already announced the sprinter's departure, with Dutch analysts calling it the biggest transfer of the off-season and a potential career-saving opportunity.
Picnic PostNL confirms Jakobsen's exit
Speculation intensified on Monday morning when reports emerged that Jakobsen could join Visma | Lease a Bike, possibly even before the end of August. Although Visma has not yet made the transfer official, Picnic PostNL confirmed the end of the partnership in a statement shared on social media.
“After two seasons in our team colours, we are saying goodbye to Fabio Jakobsen. Following open and constructive discussions, the team and Fabio have mutually agreed that it is time for us to go our separate ways. Thank you for everything, Fabio, and good luck with your next project!,” the same said in a statement.
Speaking on the Kop over Kop podcast, former professional Bobbie Traksel admitted the move had caught virtually everyone by surprise.
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Introducing his thoughts on the transfer, Traksel described it as one of the most unexpected deals of recent years. “I think this is the biggest transfer of the winter. Nobody saw this coming.”
He noted that many people had already written Jakobsen off after two difficult seasons, but believes Visma still sees significant potential. “They are looking for a sprinter for the flat races. More importantly, they genuinely believe they can get this man back on track.”
Traksel also pointed to other sprinters whose career got revitalized after switching teams. “If you look at what happened with someone like Mark Cavendish, they managed to get him going again after a few difficult years.”
According to Traksel, Jakobsen's connection with Visma's performance department may also have influenced the move. He highlighted the relationship between the sprinter and performance manager Mathieu Heijboer.
“Mathieu Heijboer was one of his training partners towards the end of his career. They've always stayed in good contact, so there's still a lot of confidence there.”
Traksel also believes the project could prove valuable for new sponsor Rabobank if the team succeeds in reviving Jakobsen's career. At the same time, he acknowledged that it reflects poorly on Picnic PostNL.
“If they manage to get him back on track, it's a fantastic project for the team, but it also makes Picnic PostNL look much worse because they weren't able to achieve that.”
Fabio Jakobsen won the European Championships title road race in 2022
A second chance to save his career
Commentator Jan Hermsen was more cautious about Jakobsen's chances of returning to his previous level. “I think getting Fabio back on track will be a very difficult job.”
He even questioned whether the Dutchman would immediately join Visma's WorldTour squad. “I'm curious whether he'll ride for the WorldTour team, because they could also simply place him with the development team.”
Despite those doubts, Hermsen believes Jakobsen deserves enormous credit for accepting the opportunity. “The fact that he has a team at all is already remarkable after what he showed this year.”
He praised the former European champion for putting pride aside in order to rebuild his career. “This is humility at its best. Going back to basics. If he can do that through Visma, then that's a great thing. If Visma hadn't come along, I think this would have been the end of his WorldTour career.”
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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- I hope he comes back stronger than ever - he is a great guy that doesn't complain, and has been through so much. If anyone can help him get back, it is Vismamij05-08-2026
- this race is greatmij05-08-2026
- Here we all are, engaging with the thread though. Giving them their precious clicks. The internet is Rick Sanchez' ship, stating "My function is to “keep Summer safe”, not “keep Summer being, like, totally stoked about, like, the general vibe, and stuff" - if "safe" was replaced with "reading this website". If people don't think they put in bad facts, weird takes and hyperbole for the engagement - well then it's a simpler, nicer, more naive world they live in.wrsty05-08-2026
- What’s laughable is the attempt to reshape the body. What next, shoulder pads, knee pads, shark fin costumes, hip winglets, nose prosthetics?Mistermaumau05-08-2026
- And Mouse is still the 'CLOWN' on this site! Congrats for cementing that accolade ! Capish !frieders305-08-2026
- Mayve Prevot should have dumped that dorky looking TT helmet!frieders305-08-2026
- This is laughable. If you actually click through to the report, the 'chest fairing' is comically huge and obvious. It's like an A-cup rider turning up with double D's lol. If the UCI can't spot such a chest fairing, then they must be blind!Pogboom05-08-2026
- ...Or, you just don't have stupid rules in the first place! The UCI is a cancer on cycling, and we'd all be better off if it folded.acem8205-08-2026
- Maybe he'll try to win all gt when he already won all Monument and wc route design for sprinter. So i would say the latest he will try it if he ever be is 2028Zamorano05-08-2026
- Wally has a big card to play in that battle - Matthew Brennan
Rafionain-Glas05-08-2026
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