4 Days of Dunkirk: Philippe Gilbert wins the 3rd stage in the sprint! – Cycling News

Immortal Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal)! At 39, 966 days after his last victory on the 17th stage of the Tour of Spain 2019, the most French of Belgians finally returned to success during the 3rd stage of the 4 Days of Dunkirk. A beautiful symbol on a test he likes, on the Franco-Belgian border, and while he is living his last season in the professional peloton. While the favorites were expected on this 3rd stage between Péronne and Mont-Saint-Éloi (170 km), it was finally a grouped peloton which presented itself at the foot of the short final bump. In his characteristic style of puncher, all in power, the former world champion Philippe Gilbert therefore crossed the line first, ahead of the leader of the race Jason Tesson (St Michel-Auber93) and Julien Simon (TotalEnergies). But a dramatic change after the finish, Jason Tesson was finally penalized 25″ for an extended shelter behind his sporting director’s car, while he was trying to come back after a fall. It was therefore the Dutchman Arvid De Kleijn ( Human Powered Health) who recovers the leader’s pink jersey, just ahead of Philippe Gilbert, ranked at the same time.Video – Philippe Gilbert’s first victory in 2022!A classic scenario, attacks and falls on the circuit, Philippe Gilbert l wins, Jason Tesson penalized The breakaway of the day forms at the start of the race: Samuel Leroux (Go Sport-Roubaix Lille Métropole), Kévin Besson (Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur) and Alex Colman (Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise) quickly take a 5-minute lead over a peloton in control, led by the formation of the leader of the event Jason Tesson (St Michel-Auber93).Note that the Belgian Alex Colman is the wearer of the weight jersey and is present at forward for the 3rd time in 3 days! The gap with the fugitives is then gradually reduced and is no more than 2 minutes at 60 kilometers from the finish at Mont-Saint-Eloi. Entering the final circuit sees the race situation stabilize. The 3 leading men accelerated and maintained a 2’20” lead over a peloton led by the St Michel-Auber93, Team DSM and Alpecin-Fenix ​​teams, with 3 laps to go and almost 40 kilometers to go. The race tightens and the pink jersey Jason Tesson (St Michel-Auber93) suffers a puncture and goes off the road!He manages to return after 10km of chasing, while many attacks shake the peloton, without success. remains very nervous but no one can tell the difference. The breakaway is finally swallowed up less than 10 km from the finish, and it is therefore a hill sprint that is looming. Perfectly launched, all in power, c It was finally Philippe Gilbert (Lotto Soudal) who won!He was ahead of the race leader Jason Tesson (St Michel-Auber93) and Julien Simon (TotalEnergies) on the line.But the leader and 2nd of the day was finally penalized by 25″ for taking too much advantage of his car’s suction after he crashed. He thus lost his jersey to Arvid De Kleijn (Human Powered Health), the new leader. Philippe GILBERT’s victory at the top of Mont Saint Eloi! #4JDD pic.twitter.com/cjwnm2ITDX — 4 Days of Dunkirk / Hauts-de-France GP (@4JDDunkerque) May 5, 2022