We're here in the shores of France for the second running of this race as a classic. It's expected to be a lovely day here as the riders line-up at the startline. The riders will tackle a circuit of two hills, with the first of those having a long cobbled section on the ascent. Before that though, there's a few dozen kilometers of flat to warm everyone up.
Favourites
HIL
RES
COB
ACC
Kasperkiewicz
73
75
79
66
Van Keirsbulck
71
73
78
68
Maes
66
73
78
66
Albert
68
72
77
66
Richardson
67
68
78
61
Orue
64
70
78
58
Bolivar
66
70
77
69
Kluge
67
73
76
73
Joseph
66
70
76
70
Verhelst
73
69
74
68
Jacobs
63
70
77
62
Archimandritis
73
73
73
68
Flaksis
65
70
76
62
Lindeman
64
69
76
76
Ghani
73
68
74
61
Marcos
73
65
74
70
Corwin
66
64
77
56
Kumara
67
70
75
67
Ngandamba
69
70
74
71
Seven riders get away in two batches to for the early break:
Finkst Mraouni Kal Kiflay Peeters Felipe Scaroni
They are soon joined by Horton.
A few others try to get away but are reeled in by the pack.
The break hit the first cobbled section with a lead of 2 minutes.
The first section does major damage in the pack. It is down to just 29 riders! Jacobs and teammate Ngandamba are the only favourites not in the peloton.
The front two groups come together a few kilometers later. All the favourites are back together.
100 km left. There's a split in the break on the second cobbled section. Finkst, Mraouni and Kal remain at the front. Felipe is caught by the peloton.
Three kilometers, six breakaway riders are back together. Scaroni does not make it back and is caught by the peloton a few kilometers later.
Finkst drops the rest of the break on the third cobbled section.
His lead would not last long though as Mraouni and Kal catch up to him on the second climb of the circuit.
The break splits again on the next cobbled section. Peeters, Kiflay and Horton are caught by the pack.
On the fifth time over the cobbles, the peloton catches Kal. They eventually catch Mraouni too.
Another favourite in trouble as Flaksis is dropped.
Finkst is caught on the next go around over the cobbles. The peloton is down to 43 riders. 55 km left to ride. All the favourites are here except the previously dropped Flaksis.
Jacobs is dropped! Memories of the difficulties of last season must be coming back to him.
Four riders make their move on the next cobbles section. Kasperkiewicz, Van Keirsbulck, Ngandamba and Maes have got some distance to those behind.
Chasing is another four riders - Kluge, Verhelst, Russo and Coronel.
Riding behind them is Joseph, Naesen, Langeveld, Feng, Marcos and Ghani.
They come together to form a leading group of 14 with 35 km remaining.
The next group consists of Orue, Albert, Kumara, Minoungou, Arissol, Van der Velde, Hugentobler and Allonca. They trail by 52 seconds.
Langeveld and Naesen are dropped from the front group.
Van Keirsbulck makes his move on the eighth cobbled section and drops the others.
Kasperkiewicz, Kluge, Verhelst and Ghani make up the chasing group of four.
fast forward a few kilometers, we're on the cobbles for the penultimate time and Van Keirsbulck has extended his lead at the front. 15 km are left.
The same four riders form E2, trailing by 50 seconds.
E4 --(2'48" )--> Albert, Marcos, Arissol, Van der Velde
12 km. Van Keirsbulck has extended his lead further. Meanwhile, Kasperkiewicz has dropped the others in his group and starts to chase in earnest. He currently trails by 1'17".
Ghani cathes Kasperkiewicz with 7 km left.
2 km to go for Van Keirsbulck. He's nearly 2 minutes ahead of the nearest rider. Behind, Kasperkiewicz has dropped Ghani again.
The final kilometer arrives for Van Keirsbulck and it has become a habit for him this season.
Van Keirsbulck wins again and this time in Dunkurque!
Ghani has done well to catch Kasperkiewicz again as they enter the final kilometer.
The Netia rider has too much left in the tank and takes out 2nd place. Ghani finishes an excellent 3rd.
Defending champion Kluge finishes 4th this time.
Ngandamba finishes a creditable 5th ahead of Verhelst.
Coronel finishes 7th, with Feng in 8th and Joseph 9th.
Russo finishes off a good ride to be 10th.
Maes is 11th.
Albert is the best finisher for the Minions in 12th, who'll probably look back at this race as a missed opportunity. Arissol and Van der Velde are 13th and 14th.
Bolivar edges out Hugentobler for 15th.
Today's winner - Guillaume Van Keirsbulck.
In what has become a common scene this season, Van Keirsbulck takes yet another win in the cobbles. Kasperkiewicz once again has to be content to be the bridesmaid. Ghani is probably the happiest man today.
