"You can't just throw something out into the world" - Fabio Jakobsen lashes out at Tom Dumoulin after harsh comments
Cycling
Fabio Jakosen was once regarded as cycling's golden kid when it came to sprinting, but since his hard crash in 2020, there have been more complications than moments of happiness.
Despite the brutal consequences of his crash at 2020 Tour de Pologne, Jakobsen had managed to bounce back with a points jersey and three stages at Vuelta one year later, and even managed to claim the European title and a Tour de France stage in 2022.
But ever since the Dutchman had joined Picnic PostNL in 2024, health complications have been eating away on his joy of cycling. In particular the narrowed pelvic artery, something he had treated in April of last year. It was supposed to solve his problems, but a comeback has not happened so far.
And that's how it came that in 2026, Jakobsen has scored mere three top-20 results. Of course, as the entire Team Picnic PostNL is in a complicated situation, Jakobsen's struggle did not go unnoticed by many, including Dutch ex-pros Thomas Dekker and Tom Dumoulin, whose comments have angered Jakobsen.
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Not worthy of being a pro
Last month, Dumoulin stated that Jakobsen no longer has 'a professional-worthy level at all'. And that frustrates the sprinter enormously.
"I have received criticism from Thomas Dekker before, in his podcast. I think those guys call themselves analysts," Jakobsen opens at the In Het Peloton podcast. "That certainly arouses anger and aggression in me. Where do you draw the line between analyzing and practicing journalism?"
According to him, Dumoulin and Dekker need to think a bit more carefully about what they say. "They are sitting at the table there with a microphone too. Then you have a certain duty towards the people you are talking about. That immediately raised a question for me as a cyclist: what is the dividing line between analyst and journalist?"
No need for speculations
What frustrates the 29-year-old rider is that he knows both men personally. And yet, they've gone behind his back...
"Tom could have called me. If the great Dumoulin says something about Fabio Jakobsen, the country bumpkin from Heukelum, that is going to cause quite a stir. I received a lot of questions from acquaintances and journalists. I have to answer them all. I do that partly on the record and partly off the record."
Fabio Jakobsen's European title in 2022 was his last big victory
Whilst Jakobsen tends to be quite frank in interviews, not everything can or should be communicated at times. "There are also things I simply can't talk about, because that would cause even more of a stir. I find it really difficult to talk about this myself, especially when it concerns another rider and is in a negative vein. After all, you don't know the whole story."
That is precisely what bothers him. "What I hold against Tom and Thomas the most is that, as ex-riders, they know you can't just throw something out into the world."
Jakobsen acknowledges he's far from his prime level, but any speculations should be withheld. "I agree that I am currently not good enough and perhaps not WorldTour-worthy, but if you are going to speculate and say that I might have a virus or something else, then you should call me first."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
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