20/05/2023

19-year-old Per Strand Hagenes takes victory on Queen Stage of the 4 Jours du Dunkerque

The youngest man in the race, 19-year-old Per Strand Hagenes took a brilliant victory on the Queen Stage of the 4 Jours du Dunkerque as Romain Gregoire moved into the race lead.

The queen stage. The French race is known for its circuit around Mont Cassel. Stage 5 features this day which is very well suited to the classics specialists. It features seven full laps of a circuit that features a climb which is 1.9 kilometres at 5.3%, and then the cobbled ascent to Cassel which is 1.5 kilometres at 4.5%, which drag almost all the way into the finish.

Profiles & Route 4 Jours du Dunkerque 2023

Seven riders made an appearance in the breakaway including the King of the Mountains, Alex Colman wearing a standout polka-dot skinsuit.

As the peloton closed, Nicolas Debeaumarché decided to try and go alone, attacking his breakaway companions.

With 10km to go, the situation was, two leaders, Valentin Retailleau and Loïc Vliegen 30 seconds ahead of the peloton.

It was all back together with 3km to go but as the final climb to the line began, riders began to struggle to hold the wheel.

Romain Gregoire made his move with 1400m to go with the winner of stage 2 being joined by Per Strand Hagenes and it was the 19-year-old Jumbo-Visma rider who took the win.