Cycling: After Fabio Jakobsen's serious fall in the Tour of Poland, more and more information is leaking out. According to the attending physician, the Dutchman has been revived, is now in a coma and is in mortal danger. Nothing is known to us about the condition of the photographer.
Fabio Jakobsen suffered serious head injuries
Exactly one year after Death of Bjorg Lambrecht the Tour of Poland draws attention to itself again with terrible news. The only 23-year-old Fabio Jakobsen fights after his fall at the Arrival in Katowice for his life. His condition is critical. The doctor treating him said that Fabio Jakobsen had to be revived on the spot and then put into an artificial coma. The Dutchman sustained serious head injuries in the crash as his helmet – as seen in a bystander footage – flew off his head during the fall.
"To ciężki uraz głowy i mózgowia. Robiliśmy co mogliśmy, ekipa medyczna podjechała natychmiast. Największe problem były z intubacją, ogromny uraz podniebienia, silne krwawienie. Stan zdrowia bardzo ciężki, jest bezpośrednie zagrożenie życia.” – lekarz wyścig dla Polsatu. # tdp20 pic.twitter.com/Gu4qhi5cBK
— Olek Sieradzki (@oleksieradz) August 5
Another high-speed finish in Poland
Fabio Jakobsen crashed into the barrier on the right-hand side of the road, into a photographer positioned behind it and then shot into the target arch. All this happened just a few meters from the finish line at top speed. Because the organizers of Tour of Poland have once again planned a steep home straight. Hopefully there will be a rethink in this regard in the future. Simon Geschke is also hoping for the same. The German professional from the CCC team vented his anger on Twitter.
Every year the same silly downhill sprint in the @Tour_de_Pologne.
Every year I ask myself why the organization thinks it's a good idea. Bunch sprints are dangerous enough, you don't need a downhill finish with 80kph!@cpacycling— Simon Geschke (@simongeschke) August 5
Dylan Groenewegen was disqualified
Dylan Groenewegen caused the accident. When Fabio Jakobsen tried to overtake Dylan Groenewegen on the right-hand side of the lane, Groenewegen closed the door. Starting in the middle of the street, Groenewegen kept moving to the right. Two detours can be clearly seen in the repetitions. After Jakobsen hit the barriers and they were thrown back onto the street, the person who caused the accident and other professionals were also thrown to the ground. Luckily, they got off relatively lightly. Only about an hour after the horror fall, the jury denied Dylan Groenewegen the stage win. Also, they disqualified him. Patrick Lefevere - team boss of Fabio Jakobsen's team - even wants to take legal action against him. Apparently the UCI sees it similarly. The world cycling association initiates disciplinary proceedings against Dylan Groenewegen.
They have to put this guy off @TeamJumbo in jail 😡
— Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) August 5
From everyone at the UCI, our thoughts are with those injured in today's crash at @Tour_de_Pologne in particular @FabioJakobsen who is in a severe condition.
Our full statement can be read here 🔗 https://t.co/s1BpSyXTM1
- UCI (@UCI_cycling) August 5
Henrik says
I am appalled! Apparently, (some) organizers, against their better judgment, consciously accept the loss of health and life of our professionals in order to make more publicity and profit.
How much longer will the UCI watch? High-speed descents and finishes have no place in cycling! In the downhill you can only lose a race and your health!!!
My thoughts are with Fabio Jakobsen, the reporter and everyone involved in the accident. Please get well soon! The responsible organizers belong in jail!
Dear professionals: please boycott such races in the future and don't let yourself be put under pressure, then things will change very quickly of their own accord.