Jakobsen unmatched in repeat Volta ao Algarve stage win

LAGOS PORTUGAL FEBRUARY 19 Arrival Fabio Jakobsen of The Netherlands and Team Deceuninck Quick Step Celebration Elia Viviani of Italy and Team Cofidis Matteo Trentin of Italy and CCC Team Alexander Kristoff of Norway and UAETeam Emirates during the 46th Volta ao Algarve 2020 Stage 1 a 1956km stage from Portimo to Lagos VAlgarve2020 on February 19 2020 in Lagos Portugal Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-QuickStep) sealed win number two of his 2020 season on the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve, sprinting to victory in Portimão for the second year in succession ahead of Elia Viviani (Cofidis).

The Dutch champion came out on top after a messy run-in to the line which saw Team Ineos lead it out for Ben Swift before Viviani and Jon Aberasturi (Caja Rural-Seguro RGA) took to the front, leaving Jakobsen boxed in.

"It was quite hectic, so it was not a lead-out by the book," said Jakobsen after the stage. "You have a guy in front of you with 400 metres to go, but in the end, sometimes it's better just to have a good position and then be able to do the sprint.

"The team was perfect. They controlled all day, controlled all the attacks on the harder part 15km from the finish, and then in the final, they kept me in front in a good position. I'm very happy with my condition and the way the team is riding."

The 23-year-old benefitted from his prior knowledge of the finale, having raced to victory in Lagos on stage 1 last year. Of the top ten finishers on the stage, Jakobsen is one of only two men to have raced the 2019 edition.

"I think every sprint stage suits me," he joked. "I know the final because I did it last year. It's about positioning and then having the legs. I love the finish because it's a long straight with plenty of room. This time, I was more closed-in than last year, but fortunately, I was able to get out."

Jakobsen will have a chance to add to his tally during Saturday's penultimate stage to Tavira, the only other possible sprint finish in the race. Deceuninck-QuickStep will race for Remco Evenepoel's GC ambitions, and after the stage, Jakobsen said the team wants to win as much as possible during the remainder of the race.

For Jakobsen, his win in Lagos takes him to two for the year, a mark he didn't reach until April in either of his first two seasons. Between victory here and his win on the final stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, it has been a perfect start to his third pro season, he says.

"It is. You know when you do a good winter you hope that you can win and yes, if it works, then it works. It's amazing to win here again and I'm happy."

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Senior news writer

Daniel Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.

 

Daniel has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.

 

As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Daniel also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.