In the gladiatorial world of sprinting, fear can often be perceived as a weakness, fearlessness as a virtue. But Fabio Jakobsen is unafraid to say that, sometimes, he is afraid.
“There’s always fear. If you don’t have fear, then you’re just reckless,” says the Dutch sprinter. “Or you’re stupid.”
Understandably, Jakobsen might feel fear when sprinting along a packed road at 70km/h, given the Tour de Pologne crash that nearly cost him his life in 2020. Not that his results would show it. After a stunning 2021 comeback – tentative at first, barnstorming by the end – Jakobsen picked up where he left off in 2022, winning his first Tour de France stage among a total of 15 victories.
The 26-year-old has come to realise that fear is not a detrimental emotion but one that can be harnessed for good.
“Sprinting – and cycling in general – is dangerous. We all crash, we all have moments where we experience fear, but they’re the moments where you can even be careful, cautious, and make sure you stay on the bike. It’s also where you show a bit of courage, where you can overcome that fear.
“There’s always fear,” he repeats. “If you do not experience that, I think you are reckless.”
Recklessness is a trait increasingly associated with the modern peloton, with older riders often bemoaning a perceived lawlessness in the peloton. Jakobsen, however, feels that sprinting is in a safer place since his crash, although it could be safer still.
“I don’t think it has gotten more dangerous. After what happened with me, most riders at least know now what can happen if it goes wrong,” he argued.
“I think finishes are getting a little bit safer. Not all of them. As a sprinter, I would always prefer a last straight line of 400-500 metres, without any slight bends, so that it’s clear: one straight line to the finish.
“I have the impression the sprinters watch out a little better – at least I do. I’m a bit more careful. Winning a bike race is nice, but I don’t want to end up on the tarmac for a race win.”
The Jakobsen of 2018 and 2019 may not have gone so far as to contradict that last statement, but it’s fair to say he was more tunnel-visioned as he made his spectacular first steps as a pro. The 2022 season showed that the 26-year-old is back to the sprinter he was before his crash, but there has been a significant change in mindset.
“You could say I became 10 years wiser in one year. I don’t feel older but I’ve got a different outlook on life,” he says.
“I still love cycling and enjoy racing…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…