Fabio Jakobsen smashes face first into spectator’s phone in 'very dangerous' moment at Vuelta a San Juan
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Updated 30/01/2023 at 11:02 GMT
Eurosport commentator Brian Smith said the incident was the latest example of why cycling needs double barriers on sprint stages to avoid spectators inadvertently colliding with riders at full speed. Fabio Jakobsen is all too aware of the perils of fast finishes after his horror smash at the Tour of Poland in 2020, where he was left in a coma after sustaining severe injuries.
'Very dangerous' - Jakobsen struck by fan's phone at end of sprint
Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal–Quick-Step) was almost wiped out in a chaotic sprint tear-up on Stage 7 of the Vuelta a San Juan after smashing face first into a spectator’s phone.
The Dutch star was vying for victory on the final stage in Argentina when he made a late dart up the inside, bringing him perilously close to the barrier separating the crowd from the action.
An oblivious spectator was standing with their phone outstretched, causing Jakobsen to take it full in the face, sending his sunglasses and the phone tumbling to the tarmac.
“Very dangerous,” said Brian Smith on Eurosport commentary. “It’s another call for double barriers on the finishing straight. We’ve said this all along. That could have been really nasty.”
Fortunately, Jakobsen managed to stay upright after having a slight wobble to stabilise – but the incident snuffed out any hopes he had of victory as Sam Welsford (DSM) took the win.
Jakobsen will be relieved to avoid a repeat of his horror crash at the Tour of Poland in 2020. He was left in a coma after a collision with Dylan Groenewegen, who was banned for nine months for his role in the crash, while concerns were raised about the safety barriers. The UCI introduced new barrier standards in 2021.
Both riders suffered in the aftermath. Jakobsen was left with severe injuries including brain and lung contusions, skull fractures, a broken nose and 10 lost teeth. Groenewegen was subjected to death threats and stinging criticism, spending almost three years in the WorldTour wilderness as he struggled to recover from the crash mentally.
Incredibly, the pair completed their own comeback stories within 24 hours of each other at the Tour de France last year – Jakobsen winning on Stage 2 before Groenewegen’s triumph a day later.
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