One of the most consistent sprinters in the race, Max Richeze concluded the last stage on the podium.
Brice Feillu (Fortuneo-Vital Concept), Pierre Gouault (HP BTP-Auber93), Pieter Jacobs (Crelan-Vastgoedservice), Sjoerd Van Ginneken (Roompot Oranje) and Jens Wallays (Topsport Vlaanderen) were the five men to snap the elastic and hit the escape on the final stage of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque (Hondschoote – Dunkerque, 159.7 kilometers). Despite being a strong group and having a maximum gap of four minutes, they didn't have a chance of making it all the way, as was the case in all the other flat stages of this edition, because the sprinters' teams did their homework and brought them back in time before the finish.
Once the breakaway came to an end with around 15 kilometers to go, the sprinters came to the front for the much expected bunch gallop, and Maximiliano Richeze nabbed his best result of the week by finishing third, behind Kenny Dehaes (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie), who won the overall rankings. Besides Max, also Etixx – Quick-Step was into the spotlight on Sunday, for winning the team standings. It was for the second time this season that we took the spoils in this classification following March's Tirreno-Adriatico, as this result capped off a solid week for our squad at the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele