Fabio Jakobsen 'to take one step back' and will undergo surgery to fix iliac artery issue, Picnic PostNL confirm
Updated 31/03/2025 at 17:30 GMT+1
React to this story
Fabio Jakobsen will be ruled out in the short term to fix an iliac artery issue, according to Team Picnic PostNL. Team doctor Camiel Aldershof spoke in detail about the decision to put Jakobsen forward for surgery, with an issue that has affected several high-profile cyclists. Jakobsen is due to go under the surgeon's knife this coming Wednesday, April 2, and hopes he will come back stronger.
Highlights as Pedersen soloes to Gent-Wevelgem win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Fabio Jakobsen (Picnic PostNL) will be ruled out for "around six weeks initially" in what has been described as "flow limitation of the iliac arteries."
Picnic PostNL revealed the news in a statement released on Monday, where it was confirmed that the 28-year-old would undergo surgery this coming Wednesday ahead of a recovery period.
Team doctor Camiel Aldershof said: "Unfortunately, after conducting recent tests, we have discovered that Fabio has flow limitation of the iliac arteries. As the diagnosis is very clear and currently limiting him on the bike, he will undergo surgery to attempt and fix the issue.
"Thankfully, he has a more favourable prognosis to return due to the type of limitation; however, this can take some time to come back from.
"The surgery means that Fabio will be off the bike for around six weeks initially, with no other strenuous physical activity allowed. In the meantime, we will monitor his progress and from there, when he is ready, we will gradually have him return to training and slowly build up intensity again."
The 28-year-old joined the Dutch team at the end of 2024 following a six-year stint with Soudal-QuickStep.
He had been looking to improve his climbing and speed work during the winter, but the Dutchman was struggling in the more intense part of racing.
That is when he underwent tests, which confirmed the iliac artery issues in both of his legs. It is not an uncommon issue, with cyclists including Shirin van Anrooij, Marianne Vos and Eli Iserbyt among those to have suffered the same problem and undergone surgery.
- Pedersen storms to dominant third Gent-Wevelgem crown
- Wiebes continues fine form with Gent-Wevelgem victory for 100th career win
- 'Had to use a ladder' - Rider bizarrely nearly misses Gent-Wevelgem
"I trained well this winter and came into the season with some confidence," Jakobsen added.
"We picked up some top 10 results at UAE Tour and Paris-Nice, but when it came to those key moments and high-intensity sprint efforts I suffered; my legs simply weren’t working as they should.
"It’s mentally, of course, a setback, but now that we have found the cause of the issue, I am hopeful that the surgery can then solve it. Sometimes you need to take one step back to be able to make two forward, and I hope that’s what I’m going to do now."
Stream all the top cycling action, including the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, live and on-demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement