From May 14th to 19th, the
4 Jours de Dunkerque takes place on the roads of northern France. This six-day race is a prominent fixture among the French events during this period, known for its spectacular finales that highlight both sprinters and classics riders. Let's explore its
profiles.
Stage 1: Dunkerque - Le Touquet-Paris Plage, 171.6 kilometers
The race starts off with a stage for the sprinters starting in Dunkerque and finishing in Le Touquet. It is the first of four days that should end in a sprint and will suit the fast men.
Stage 2: Wimereux - Abbeville, 183.6 kilometers
Day two of the race will go through some rugged roads from Wimereux to Abbeville but they should not be overly hard to prevent a bunch sprint from taking place.
Stage 3: Saint-Laurent-Blangry - Bouchain, 166 kilometers
The third day of racing is perhaps the flattest of the race. Within 166 kilometers the riders go from Saint-Laurent-Blangry to Bouchain and the circuit finale will once again accommodate the fast men.
Stage 4: Mazingarbe - Pont-à-Marcq, 171.1 kilometers
Another pan-flat day in the race, the sprinters will be happy to find another short stage without any serious difficulties. This time around the finale will be in Pont-à-Marcq.
Stage 5: Arques - Cassel, 180.1 kilometers
After four days of racing on flat roads the race finale goes into it's queen stage. It is Cassel monster. This features plenty laps of a hilly circuit that features 1.9 kilometers at over 5%, and a cobbled 1.5-kilometer ascent that averages 4.5% and virtually coincides with the finish line.
Stage 6: Loon-Plage - Dunkerque, 179.4 kilometers
As was most of the race, on the final day the riders return to completely flat roads. After passing through most of the region, the riders finally return to Dunkerque where they will most likely find a bunch sprint once again.