The French 2.HC race saw the riders fight for victory in Gravelines, a small town located southwest of Dunkerque.
It took 30 kilometers for a break to form on the first stage of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque, and only three riders decided to give it a go: Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec), Stephane Poulhies (Cofidis) and Kai Reus (Roompot Oranje). With the peloton taking it easy, they built a gap of five minutes, which then prompted a response from Cofidis and Direct Energie. The two teams, having an interest in seeing the stage finish in a bunch gallop, controlled the break and narrowed the gap in the last 80 kilometers, before completely neutralizing the escape.
Inside the final 30 kilometers, various riders tried to attack, but couldn't take more than a handful of seconds, so the stage concluded, as expected, in a sprint. Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) was the day's winner in Gravelines, where he defeated Raymond Kreder (Roompot Oranje) and Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis). For Etixx – Quick-Step it was all about finishing safely this stage and keeping its riders in contention – as the team has several cards to play for the general classification of the French race in the days to come – and giving a hand to Maximiliano Richeze in the closing kilometers, where the 33-year-old Argentinean got involved in the fight for the top places and came 8th.
Starting and finishing in Aniche, stage 2 of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque has a rich terrain, which includes some small climbs and cobbled sectors. After these hurdles, the peloton will enjoy flat roads and a 15-km long circuit which is going to be raced three times. Although a bunch sprint is in the cards, it will be a selective one, as the finish is in an uphill.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele