Fabio Jakobsen took a memorable success at the 2021 season’s final Grand Tour, the Vuelta a Espana, launching a superb sprint in the final 300 meters of the 163.9km stage 4, confirming he is again one of the fastest men in the sport. Already victorious this season at the Tour de Wallonie, the 24-year-old showed great instinct and a huge turn of speed as he surfed the wheels in the final kilometer before unleashing a devastating sprint and blasting past all his opponents.
“This is a dream! I want to thank my family and the team, my second family, because they are the reason I am here. It’s the most beautiful victory of my career and I can’t thank everybody enough for what they did for me. It’s been a long road since last year, and to be here, a Grand Tour stage winner again, makes me incredibly happy”, an emotional Fabio said after his third success of the season.
Running over a mainly flat route, Tuesday’s stage was easily controlled by the teams who wanted to see it come down to a bunch sprint in Molina de Aragon, which was hosting its first La Vuelta finish. Once the breakaway got reeled in, Deceuninck – Quick-Step remained at the front of the bunch, making sure Jakobsen was in a good position for the uphill kick to the line, where a 3% average gradient spiced up things a bit.
But Fabio timed it perfectly and took a convincing victory – the team’s 48th of the season – that netted him also the green jersey, for the first time in his career: “The finale was hectic, as it always happens when you have a bunch sprint. Luckily, I had both Styby and Bert with me, and after the latter took me to the front I opened my sprint and I guess I just had a bit more in the legs. I feel that after this win my comeback is complete and the circle is now closed after everything that happened last year. I feel great, I am at a good level and I’m happy to be here with the team and have the green jersey, which I will try to keep for as long as possible.”
Race leader Rein Taaramae finished with the peloton, securing another day in the red jersey.
2021 Vuelta a Espana: Stage 4 Brief Results:
- Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck – Qjuick-Step) in 3h43’07”
- Arnaud Demare (Groupama – FDJ) s.t.
- Magnus Cort (EF Education – Nippo) s.t.
- Alberto Dainese (Team DSM) s.t.
- Michael Matthews (Team Bike Exchange) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 4:
- Rein Taaramae (Intermarch – Wanty – Gobert) at 13h8’51”
- Kenny Elissonde (Trek Segafredo) at 25″
- Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) at 30″
- Lilian Calmejane (Ag2r Citroen) at 35″
- Enric Mas (Movistar) at 45″
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor