the dutch Arvid De Kleijn (Human Powered Health) is the first leader of the 66th edition of the 4 Days of Dunkerque by winning the inaugural stage disputed over 161.1 km of route between Dunkerque and Aniche, which had an uneventful end with a pileup over the finish line that caused the initial victory and the subsequent disqualification of the Australian Sam Welsford.
The “aussie” cyclist incurred, according to the judges, in an infraction by preventing the passage of a rival with his elbow a few meters from the finish line, which allowed him to cross the line first.
Once the images were seen, the classification changed and the victory went to the 28-year-old Dutchman Arvid De Kleijn, while the second place went to the Frenchman Jason Teson (St.Michel Auner) and the third for another Dutchman, Nils Eekoff (DSM), all with a time of 3h31:14.
A final with a capital scare that put an end to a fast day, played at more than 45 km/hour, with breakaways and a final battle that put the interest until the last meter.
The derniers 100m pic.twitter.com/8B9lhwXgi7
— 4 Jours de Dunkerque / GP des Hauts-de-France (@4JDDunkerque) May 3, 2022
The first to dare to adventure were the French Cyril Barthe (B&B), the Belgian Milan Fretin (Sport Vlandeeren) and the Lithuanian Evaldas Siskevicius (Go Sport), captured by the group 73 km from the finish line. There was a long way to go, and before any team could take command with an iron hand, three Belgians left: Van Hoecke, Taminiaux and Colman.
The platoon was not very nervous either. Lotto and DSM led the group keeping the breakaway at bay, around half a minute. There was a clear intention to sprint, which was reflected in the absorption of the trio in flight three kilometers from the finish line.
Unleashed the sprint, many attacked from afar. On the one hand Welsford and DeKleijn They walked side by side. In the fissure between the two, De Lie saw a gap and tried to pass at all costs, when, according to the judges, the Australian opened his elbow more than necessary, causing the fall that dragged several runners until after the finish line.
Welsford He was already celebrating his second win of the season, but the video reflected a maneuver that cost him the stage and the lead, which was left in the hands of De Kleijn.
This Wednesday the second stage between Béthune and Maubeuge is disputed, with 181.5 km of route. A day with three small heights in the second half, conducive to a sprint outcome.
soc/jap