Dutch sprinter Fabio Jakobsen has been forced to pause his cycling career for the “foreseeable future” after being diagnosed with flow limitations in the iliac arteries in both of his legs.
Jakobsen, currently in his second season with Picnic PostNL, has faced challenges in his early races this year. His condition, which has become more common among professional cyclists in recent years, is the same issue that has led riders like Shirin van Anrooij and Marianne Vos to undergo surgery. The condition has also affected amateur athletes.
Picnic PostNL’s team doctor, Camiel Aldershof, explained: “After recent tests, we discovered that Fabio has flow limitation of the iliac arteries. The diagnosis is clear and is currently limiting his performance on the bike. He will undergo surgery to address the issue.”
Aldershof added that Jakobsen’s prognosis for recovery is positive due to the type of limitation, though the road to recovery could take time. “The surgery will require Fabio to stay off the bike for about six weeks, with no strenuous physical activity allowed during that period. We will monitor his progress and, once he is ready, gradually reintroduce training and intensity.”
The condition, known as External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis (FLIA), disrupts blood flow to the lower limbs, especially during physical exertion. It occurs when the iliac arteries near the hip and groin narrow or kink, impacting performance. Though the external iliac artery is most commonly affected, the condition can occasionally involve the common iliac or femoral arteries.
Symptoms of FLIA include pain, numbness, and swelling in the thigh and calf muscles, and, in rarer cases, the buttocks.
Jakobsen expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about the future. “It’s mentally a setback, but now that we have found the cause of the issue, I’m hopeful that surgery will resolve it,” he said. “Sometimes, you need to take a step back to move forward, and that’s what I’m aiming for now.”
Reflecting on his early season performance, Jakobsen noted, “I trained well over the winter and entered the season with confidence. I achieved some top-ten finishes at the UAE Tour and Paris-Nice. But in those critical moments, especially during high-intensity sprints, I felt my legs weren’t functioning as they should.”
Jakobsen joins a list of professional cyclists who have dealt with FLIA, including Ineos Grenadiers’ Bob Jungels and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. A 2022 research paper even suggested classifying the condition as an “occupational disease” for professional riders.
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