4 Jours de Dunkerque: Arvid de Kleijn wins opening stage after crash-marred sprint and relegation

The opening stage of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque ended up in a bunch sprint, a very chaotic one in fact though. Human Powered Health got an important win as Arvid de Kleijn was declared the official stage winner, but that was after the relegation of Sam Welsford.

The 161-kilometer long stage ended in a bunch sprint. Sam Welsford was the first to cross the line, after being part of a crash where he, Arnaud de Lie and Dan McLay came into contact with each other. The latter two crashed - alongside several other riders who couldn't avoid the incident - whilst Welsford stayed up, but was later relegated.

Second rider over the line was Arvid de Kleijn, and the Dutchman consequently took the stage win. Jordan Tesson and Nils Eeekhoff rounded out the podium spots.