Professional sprinter Fabio Jakobsen has taken an unexpected step outside the peloton by appearing on the VVD Neder-Betuwe candidate list for the upcoming municipal elections, with the Team Picnic-PostNL rider named as a list duwer by the local VVD branch.
Jakobsen, one of the most recognisable Dutch cyclists of the past decade, is placed tenth on the list and is not expected to take up a council seat. His inclusion is intended as a symbolic show of support rather than a move towards an active political career.
Why Fabio Jakobsen is on the list
The VVD confirmed that Jakobsen was approached to act as a list duwer, a role often filled by well-known figures whose name recognition can help draw attention to a party’s campaign. Although Jakobsen was born in Heukelum, in the neighbouring West Betuwe municipality, he now lives in Zuidland in South Holland, around 95 kilometres from Neder-Betuwe.
According to local party representatives, Jakobsen expressed interest in supporting the VVD and its stance on sport and physical activity. The party has argued for a broader local sports policy that includes more support for individual athletes alongside traditional club-based sport.
Jakobsen will not be actively involved in the campaign. His racing calendar means that from February onwards he will be fully focused on the 2026 cycling season, making public appearances in Neder-Betuwe unlikely.
A high-profile name from the peloton
Jakobsen’s presence on the list stands out given his status within professional cycling. The 29-year-old sprinter has built an impressive career, highlighted by a Tour de France stage win in 2022 and five stage victories at the Vuelta a España. He also claimed the Vuelta points classification in 2021 and won the European road race title in 2022.
His career has included major victories at races such as Scheldeprijs and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, underlining his reputation as one of the most powerful finishers of his generation. After several seasons with Quick-Step, Jakobsen now rides for Team Picnic-PostNL, where he continues to target Grand Tour stages and major sprint opportunities.
Sport, recovery and public profile
Jakobsen’s public profile extends beyond results. His serious crash at the Tour of Poland in 2020 and subsequent return to top-level racing turned him into one of the most recognised figures in Dutch sport, admired for resilience as much as for speed.
That visibility is a key reason why his name carries weight beyond cycling. While his appearance on the VVD list is not an indication of future political ambitions, it reflects how elite cyclists can influence conversations around sport, health and physical activity at a broader societal level.
Cycling remains the priority
Despite the attention generated by his inclusion on the candidate list, Jakobsen’s focus remains firmly on racing. With a full winter of preparation ahead and the early-season sprints already on the horizon, the coming months will be about regaining top form and delivering results on the road rather than in the council chamber.
For now, Jakobsen’s role in Neder-Betuwe politics is a symbolic one, a brief crossover between professional sport and public life, before the demands of the WorldTour once again take over.