4 Jours de Dunkerque / Grand Prix des Hauts de France
Stage 2: Compiègne - Laon
France
Wednesday 17 May 2023
169.9 km
Vernon impresses in Dunkerque

Ethan Vernon showed the fantastic progress he’s made since turning pro with Soudal Quick-Step, proving there’s more to him than meets the eye on the demanding uphill finish of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque stage 2. Having won three races this year, including one at World Tour level in Romandie, Ethan produced a fantastic acceleration in the closing meters of the 1.9km climb averaging 4.1% which spiced up the finale of Wednesday’s stage to land another strong result.
It was an intense fight for victory, with the original breakaway caught just 200 meters from the line, after a fierce chase. As soon as this happened, the moves came, and Ethan Vernon was quick to react to a stinging attack of Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ). The 22-year-old Brit came with huge speed from behind, but ran out of road and eventually concluded runner-up, as the Frenchman took the victory in Laon.
“I wasn’t expecting I would sprint at the end, to be honest. When we came into the last climb I was a bit out of position, which meant I had to go deep quite early. This result is promising for the next days, because I know that with a better positioning I could have won. Shape wise I’m in a better place that I thought after sickness, so I’m happy and looking forward to the coming stages”, said Ethan, who is fourth overall before the race’s individual time trial.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
Race details
1 |
Romain Grégoire Groupama - FDJ |
3:59:05 |
2 |
Ethan Vernon
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:00 |
3 |
Benoît Cosnefroy AG2R Citroën Team |
0:00 |
4 |
Peter Sagan TotalEnergies |
0:00 |
5 |
Victor Lafay Cofidis |
0:00 |
6 |
Benjamin Thomas Cofidis |
0:00 |
7 |
Anthon Charmig Uno-X Pro Cycling Team |
0:00 |
8 |
Paul Penhoët Groupama - FDJ |
0:00 |
9 |
Greg Van Avermaet AG2R Citroën Team |
0:00 |
10 |
Olav Kooij Jumbo-Visma |
0:00 |
19 |
Kasper Asgreen
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:00 |
30 |
Lars Craps Soudal - Quick Step |
0:00 |
34 |
Tim Merlier
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:00 |
52 |
Stan Van Tricht
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:19 |
61 |
Jannik Steimle
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:41 |
95 |
Bert Van Lerberghe
Soudal - Quick Step |
2:26 |
1 |
Samuel Leroux Van Rysel - Roubaix Lille Métropole |
8:30:32 |
2 |
Olav Kooij Jumbo-Visma |
0:01 |
3 |
Romain Grégoire Groupama - FDJ |
0:01 |
4 |
Ethan Vernon
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:05 |
5 |
Pier-André Coté Human Powered Health |
0:05 |
6 |
Paul Penhoët Groupama - FDJ |
0:07 |
7 |
Benoît Cosnefroy AG2R Citroën Team |
0:07 |
8 |
Logan Currie Bolton Equities Black Spoke |
0:07 |
9 |
Mathis Le Berre Team Arkéa Samsic |
0:08 |
10 |
Anthony Turgis TotalEnergies |
0:08 |
13 |
Tim Merlier
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:11 |
18 |
Kasper Asgreen
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:11 |
51 |
Stan Van Tricht
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:30 |
60 |
Jannik Steimle
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:51 |
84 |
Lars Craps Soudal - Quick Step |
2:33 |
91 |
Bert Van Lerberghe
Soudal - Quick Step |
2:37 |
1 |
Olav Kooij Jumbo-Visma |
16 pt |
2 |
Romain Grégoire Groupama - FDJ |
15 pt |
3 |
Ethan Vernon
Soudal - Quick Step |
12 pt |
4 |
Paul Penhoët Groupama - FDJ |
12 pt |
5 |
Max Walscheid Cofidis |
12 pt |
6 |
Samuel Leroux Van Rysel - Roubaix Lille Métropole |
11 pt |
7 |
Peter Sagan TotalEnergies |
10 pt |
8 |
Benoît Cosnefroy AG2R Citroën Team |
9 pt |
9 |
Tim Merlier
Soudal - Quick Step |
7 pt |
10 |
Pier-André Coté Human Powered Health |
6 pt |
25 |
Jannik Steimle
Soudal - Quick Step |
1 pt |
1 |
Tuur Dens Team Flanders - Baloise |
15 pt |
2 |
Alex Colman Team Flanders - Baloise |
11 pt |
3 |
Ceriel Desal Bingoal WB |
11 pt |
4 |
Kenny Molly Van Rysel - Roubaix Lille Métropole |
9 pt |
5 |
Damien Girard Nice Métropole Côte d'Azur |
7 pt |
6 |
Pier-André Coté Human Powered Health |
4 pt |
7 |
Geoffrey Soupe TotalEnergies |
3 pt |
8 |
Logan Currie Bolton Equities Black Spoke |
2 pt |
9 |
Olivier Le Gac Groupama - FDJ |
2 pt |
10 |
Mathis Le Berre Team Arkéa Samsic |
1 pt |
1 |
Olav Kooij Jumbo-Visma |
8:30:33 |
2 |
Romain Grégoire Groupama - FDJ |
0:00 |
3 |
Ethan Vernon
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:04 |
4 |
Paul Penhoët Groupama - FDJ |
0:06 |
5 |
Logan Currie Bolton Equities Black Spoke |
0:06 |
6 |
Mathis Le Berre Team Arkéa Samsic |
0:07 |
7 |
Alexis Renard Cofidis |
0:10 |
8 |
Samuel Watson Groupama - FDJ |
0:10 |
9 |
Ibon Ruiz Sedano Equipo Kern Pharma |
0:10 |
10 |
Julius Johansen Intermarché - Circus - Wanty |
0:10 |
17 |
Stan Van Tricht
Soudal - Quick Step |
0:29 |
31 |
Lars Craps Soudal - Quick Step |
2:32 |
1 | Groupama - FDJ | 25:32:09 |
2 | Cofidis | 0:00 |
3 | Soudal - Quick Step | 0:00 |
4 | AG2R Citroën Team | 0:00 |
5 | Uno-X Pro Cycling Team | 0:00 |
6 | Lotto Dstny | 0:00 |
7 | TotalEnergies | 0:00 |
8 | Team Arkéa Samsic | 0:00 |
9 | Intermarché - Circus - Wanty | 0:13 |
9 | Equipo Kern Pharma | 0:00 |