The 27-year-old finished sixth in the Belgian race.
Gooikse Pijl marked Fabio Jakobsen’s last outing in the European Champion jersey, which he will not defend next week, as the hilly course in the Netherlands will favour the puncheurs. During his spell in the jersey, the Dutchman won a total of eight races, including the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen, a Tirreno-Adriatico stage and a pair of stages at the Belgium Tour.
Fabio was among the favourites also Sunday afternoon, as he lined out at the start of the 199km race which he won two years ago, and relied once again on a strong Soudal Quick-Step team to guide him on this fast day of racing. The Wolfpack controlled things, bringing back the escapees and also a late attack, when a couple of riders tried to get away on the closing lap.
Launched by Florian Sénéchal, Jakobsen got involved in the finale, but the sprint was a hectic one, and he concluded in sixth place, as Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took the win. For Fabio – third in Koolskamp on Friday – this was the 20th top ten of the season.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
