Nokere 14.03.2018 – The 21-year-old Fabio Jakobsen has just won the 73rd Danilith Nokere Koerse. He won the sprint from a fiercely thinned-out peloton. The Belgian Amaury Capiot (Topsport Vlaanderen) came in 2nd before the Frenchman Hugo Hofstetter (Cofidis).
In recent days, our junior competition and our cyclo had taken place under harsh weather conditions. Our elite riders were luckier because the race between Deinze and Nokere took place under a brilliant spring sun. This afternoon in Deinze, cycling enthusiasts were mainly looking forward to world champion cyclocross Wout Van Aert, who was already on the podium in the Strade Bianche this year. Due to the redesigned final, the classic mass sprint was not expected this year.
Early flight
In the day’s big breakaway were 8 riders who had a maximum lead of 10 minutes at 130 kilometers from the finish. The escapees were Ivo Oliveira (Por), Rob Ruijgh (Ned), Conor Dunne (Ier), Yannick Martinez (Fra), Simon Sellier (Fra), Timothy Stevens (Bel), Martijn Budding (Ned) and Daniel Turek (Tsj). Timothy Stevens (Cibel) collected the most points during the passages on top of Nokereberg for the Mountain prize Pur Natur, which earned him 1,500 euros.
Wout van Aert took the initiative in the chase of the leading group.
At 34 kilometers from the finish, Wout van Aert addressed his legs from Strade Bianche. He opened the throttle and went in search of the day’s escapees together with 8 companions. The chasing group consisted of Van Aert (Willems-Crelan): Van Hooydonck/Vliegen (BMC), Serry/Sénéchal (Quick-Step), Planckaert (Katjoesja), Philipsen (Hagens), Kirsch (Aqua Protect) and Ackermann (BORA). The pursuers also caught the early escapees, but after some hesitation at the front, the peloton rejoined. The traditional mass sprint loomed for a moment, until Van Aert pulled through once more. He chose the card of his mate Sean De Bie. He was just a little too light on the Nokereberg. It was Fabio Jakobsen who sped to his first professional victory with superior force.
The 21-year-old Dutchman is riding his first season for Quick-Step Floors. Jakobsen became Dutch champion among the promises in 2016 and 2017 and last year he was elected Talent of the Year in the Netherlands.
REACTIONS
Jakobsen: “A very beautiful one”
Fabio Jakobsen (winner): “My first victory is immediately a very beautiful one. At 5 kilometers from the end, I heard from Martinelli that they would ride for me.” “I was allowed to try and I won too. That is why I would like to thank everyone who has helped me in my young career. Without them I would not be standing here.”
Capiot: “Jakobsen was much faster”
Amaury Capiot (second and son of former professional Johan Capiot): “I am quite satisfied, Jakobsen was much faster. I was allowed to sprint by the team and I am happy that I can deliver a second place.” “At the end of a hard race I am still quite fast. It was a nice final, both for us and for the viewers.”
Amaury Capiot (Topsport Vlaanderen) – Fabio Jakobsen (Quickstep) – Hugo Hofstetter (Cofidis).
Mountain prize winner PUR NATUR Timothy Stevens (Cibel)
