Fabio Jacobsen (open in new tab) opened his mouth for the first time since his high-speed crash at the Tour de Pollogne (open in new tab), thankful to be alive but needing several months of forced rest due to multiple surgeries to treat a severe concussion and facial injuries He stated.

Jacobsen crashed through a roadside barrier before the finish of the opening stage of the Tour de Pollogne after Jumbo-Visma sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, also of the Netherlands, deviated from the line in a downhill sprint. He fell into a coma in the hospital, where medical staff struggled to save his life.

"It has been two weeks since the crash in Poland. I am so grateful to the trauma doctors and nurses at the finish line in Katowice for saving my life," Jacobsen said in a personal message released by the Detunink Quickstep (open in new tab) team.

"I spent a week in the intensive care unit at St. Barbara's Hospital in Sosnowiec. They immediately performed a five-hour surgery and gave me a chance to live. I am grateful to all the staff at this hospital."

"Life in the ICU was hard and dark, and I wasn't sure if I would survive. I owe a lot to the organization that supports the Tour de Pollogne and my team, Detuninck Quickstep. My family stayed close to me.

Jacobsen was transferred from Poland to the Netherlands last week, where he was photographed leaving an ambulance and boarding a private plane. He spent some time at Leiden University Medical Center in central Holland, but is now back at home.

"Step by step, I am able to live independently. Now I am at home continuing to recover from my facial wounds and injuries," he said, fully aware that recovery will take a long time.

"Due to the severe concussion, I will have to rest a lot over the next few months. Over the next few weeks and months, I will undergo multiple surgeries and treatments to heal my facial injuries."

"I am very grateful for the support I have received from my family and friends," he said.

He thanks those who sent him messages of support, the Polish medical staff, the Dečuninck-Quick Step team, and the organizers of the Tour de Pollogne for helping his family.

"I want to let everyone know that I am very grateful to still be alive. The messages and words of support have given me so much strength. Step by step, I can slowly turn my attention to the future and fight for my recovery," Jacobsen said.

"In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Raphael for being my surgeon in Poland, Dr. Van Mol for being there as team doctor in Poland, Patrick Lefevere for bringing my family close to me, and on behalf of the Tour of Poland for taking good care of my family. I would like to thank Agata Lang and her family for taking good care of my family on behalf of the Tour of Poland.