Four Days of Dunkirk 2023 – Stage 1 [FULL STAGE]

May 16, 2023

Four Days of Dunkirk 2023- Stage 1 – Dunkerque – Abbeville : 196,6 km

This mid-season stage race, held in the wind-battered regions of Normandy, Picardy and Nord pas de Calais, actually runs for six days – bad news for those riders who sign up for it without having a proper read of the Ts and Cs! The Four Days of Dunkirk first debuted back in 1955 and held an edition every year until 2020 and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It underwent a two-year hiatus before returning to the calendar last year for its 66 edition. The route doesn’t offer much in the way of difficulty, but when combined with the strong winds and sleeting rains which regularly batter this part of France in spring, it can quickly become one of the toughest week-long stage races on the cycling calendar.

Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) claimed the opening stage of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque in a crash-marred finish that saw pre-race favourite Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny) come down in the final 200 metres.

Kooij earned the first leader’s jersey of the race, finishing the stage ahead of Max Walscheid (Cofidis) and Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ).

The day’s breakaway had very little chance of staying away, with five riders giving it a go regardless.

Results :