Fabio Jakobsen apologized on Tuesday after the fourth stage of the Tour de France for statements he made on Sunday. The Dutchman then said that Dylan Groenewegen’s stage victory did not affect him.
When Jakobsen was asked about the final of the fourth stage after the finish in Calais, he spontaneously started talking about his words from two days earlier in Denmark. “I think Groenewegen will be very happy with this,” he said on Sunday about his compatriot’s victory. “It actually leaves me cold.”
Jakobsen emphasized on Tuesday that he was only referring to Groenewegen’s performance. “Of course I understand that he and his family also went through a very difficult time. I have all respect for that. I was a bit frustrated on Sunday. My apologies for that.”
Groenewegen caused a fall in the Tour of Poland two years ago, with Jakobsen as the biggest victim. The Dutchman had to fight for his life for several days. Groenewegen was later given a nine-month suspension.
Dylan Groenewegen won the third stage on Sunday.
Dylan Groenewegen won the third stage on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
Jakobsen finishes thirteenth in Calais
Jakobsen recorded his first Tour stage win ever in the second stage on Saturday. A day later, Groenwegen won a stage in the most important cycling race in the world for the first time since 2019.
On Tuesday, both Dutchmen were unable to sprint for the win. Wout van Aert soloed to the win, while Jakobsen was thirteenth at eight seconds.
“I was good on the last climb, I surprised myself a bit there,” said Jakobsen. “Jumbo-Visma then did the perfect team tactics. They have a very strong man in Wout and they pulled things apart. Van Aert eventually stayed away. Perfectly executed by the men from the supermarket.”
Groenewegen was released on the final climb and became 122nd, one and a half minutes behind Van Aert.
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