Fabio Jakobsen sprinted to victory on stage four of the Vuelta a Espana on Tuesday, earning the green jersey for the points classification in the process.
You can rewatch STAGE 4 of 2021 Vuelta a Espana HERE
Jakobsen finished the strongest in the 164km flat stage from El Burgo de Osma to Molina de Aragon, and his victory capped an emotional comeback for the Dutch sprinter, who suffered life threatening injuries just over 12 months ago in last year’s Tour of Poland.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Jakobsen said. “After the crash it was a long way back, but I’m happy to be here. It took a lot of time and effort.
“I was helped by a lot of other people and this is also their victory. The doctors, surgeons, and medical staff, the team, this is also their victory. This is also my family’s victory. They’re the reason I’m here.”
The former Dutch national champion pipped Arnaud Demare on the line in a dramatic finish which also saw overall leader Rein Taaramae fall off his bike with just over two kilometres to go after a collision with another rider.
The Estonian retains his advantage as his accident came within the final three kilometres of the race, meaning he remains 25 seconds up on second-placed Kenny Elissonde and 30 ahead of Primoz Roglic, winner of the last two editions.
The sprinters will have another chance to claim glory in Wednesday’s 184.4km pan-flat stage five, which goes from Tarancon to Albacete in Spain’s South East.
