Like in a novel. After a year the fates of Dylan Groenewegen e Fabio Jacobsen they crossed paths again.
Tour de Wallonie, second half of July. Ua stage race for sprinters and heavyweights, so much so that the defending champion was Arnaud Demare. The first stage goes to Dylan Groenewegen. The next day, Fabio Jacobsen raises his arms to the sky. On the fourth day, Jumbo repeats, and on the fifth, Deceuninck does the same. A truly remarkable coincidence. The two Dutchmen returned to racing together almost a year after the "incident" (It was August 5th) and this time too they somehow chased each other. In reality, they had already crossed paths at the national championship, but without any success on either side.
The crime
Let's remember the incident. Tour of Poland. On a finish line that was already known to be dangerous, the Dutchman in the sprint commits an offence. Dylan pushes Fabio towards the barrier, who falls heavily to the ground. The rider from the team also falls to the ground. Jumbo-Visma. The problem is that the one of the Deceuninck-Quick Step Before touching the asphalt, he touches (touch is an understatement) the barriers and the sky. He shoots so fast that victory is his anyway.
The controversy immediately erupts and all guns are pointed at Groenewegen, the "bad guy," the ogre. He breaks his collarbone and suffers various bruises. Jakobsen ends up in a coma, suffering multiple fractures all over, even on his face, and losing his teeth., team manager of Deceuninck, wants to denounce Groenenwegen.
Over time, the controversy hasn't subsided much. It seems that Jakobsen wanted to lend a hand to his rival, but that Lefevere himself wanted to keep the tension high, also with a view to compensation. Groenewegn is suspended from theUci, He pleads guilty. Few, however, point to the reason why the barriers were opened: they hadn't been made up to standard. Because Groenewegen may have made a mistake, but ultimately his foul wasn't more wicked than many others we've seen in the past. The effects on Jakobsen certainly worked against him. Ultimately, even his fellow sprinters, while admitting he's not a nice guy, say he's not a bad guy. And he doesn't need certain gestures to win.
Dylan's Return…
But let's get back to the present. That day in Heron, after 185 kilometers of ups and downs, Dylan leads everyone.
"It's a great relief to know that I'm healthy now and that I can still win," Groenewegen said. "I've been through a long, very difficult time. I also ran thinking about my grandfather, who recently passed away. The team was very important because it helped me today and even during those less pleasant months."
«I had started racing again at the Giro d'Italia and in addition to suffering a lot due to lack of rhythm, in the first races, but also During my first bike rides after the injury, I thought about the accident all day and I could hear the noise of that fall all day. It was a shock."
And 24 hours later, he was "rejoicing" over Jakobsen's victory. "Fabio deserves this victory. Seeing him win is a relief, I admire him. I'm happy to be able to race against him again." Their fates are now officially crossed.
And Fabio's
And Jakobsen? As mentioned Fabio was less “warm” than the Dutchman. At least in public. Either because he truly couldn't stomach it (and that would be more than understandable), or because these are the team's guidelines, he was less forthcoming than Groenewegen.
«I have no words to describe this moment – declared the Deceuninck athlete after his success – I don't know how many people I have to thank: doctors, girlfriend, family, team, friends... This victory is also theirs. I'm happy to be a sprinter again.".
Jakobsen had returned to racing, and this was the first time he'd ever met Groenewegen. Actually, it was the second time; his first attempt had been at the Dutch national championship.
Both emphasized having rediscovered their inner sprinter. A sign that even these powerhouses have their insecurities and weaknesses.
Now we expect a sprint between the two, a head-to-head. That would truly close the circle. Perhaps even today in the Heylen Vastgoed Heistse Pijl, yet another Belgian race for fast wheels... and crossed destinies.
