4 Jours de Dunkerque / Grand Prix des Hauts de France

Twelve cobblestone sectors and some fast roads were the ingredients of the most complicated stage of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque so far, one which had the potential – on paper, at least – to deliver some significant changes to the general classification, where the gaps were still small after two days.

Knowing that a lot could happen on Friday, Soudal Quick-Step went on the attack early and tried to shape the race. After a crazy first hour, with plenty of skirmishes but no breakaway, a front group formed, and our team was represented in that four-man move by Antoine Huby and Casper Pedersen, the Dane who finished fourth at E3 Harelbeke this season. The duo, together with their two companions, pushed hard on the cobbles and built a nice four-minute margin on the peloton.

It took a coalition of teams to reduce that gap and bring the quartet back, in the last 50 kilometers, but the Wolfpack continued to remain active, this time with Gil Gelders. The Belgian, who was in the breakaway on the opening day, went full gas and opened a gap, only for the bunch to come back despite his best effort. The stage, as a result, came down to a bunch sprint won by Pierre Gautherat (Decathlon AG2R), while Jordi Warlop finished ninth and scored his third top ten of the season. On top of that, Soudal Quick-Step was named the best team of the day, taking to the podium to receive this well-deserved award at the end of stage three.

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