Fabio Jakobsen joins Visma‑Lease a Bike in midseason transfer

Dutch sprint specialist Fabio Jakobsen terminated his contract with Picnic‑PostNL on July 31 and moved immediately to the Dutch WorldTour team Visma‑Lease a Bike. The mid‑season switch gives Visma a dedicated sprinter for the first time since Olav Kooij’s departure, strengthening its lineup alongside riders such as Wout van Aert.

Jakobsen, who recovered from a life‑threatening crash at the 2020 Tour of Poland and later won several Grand Tour stages, had a modest 2024‑25 spell with Picnic‑PostNL, winning only a single race. The early exit adds to Picnic‑PostNL’s financial challenges; the team holds a provisional WorldTour licence for 2026 after concerns over its long‑term solvency.

Visma‑Lease a Bike, led by performance director Jonas Vingegaard, announced the signing as a “coup de théâtre” in the newly opened transfer window, expecting Jakobsen to sign a contract through 2027 and to boost its sprint finishes in upcoming races.