Preview of the Four Days of Dunkirk 2023 | Kooij, Sagan, De Lie, Merlier and Jumbo-Visma youngsters at the start

The Four Days of Dunkirk, which is actually a six-day race, is set to take place in Northern France, serving as a perfect buildup for many riders leading into the important summer period. In this article, IDLProCycling.com tells you all about it!

Why the race is still known as the Four Days of Dunkirk remains a mystery to us, considering that it has been a nearly one-week-long race for as long as we can remember. Anyway, that might distract from what really matters - the race, because that's what we're looking forward to.

During the previous edition, Philippe Gilbert added his name to the list of honor, while the Four Days of Dunkirk in 2021 and 2020 were among the races affected by the coronavirus. In the last edition before the pandemic, in 2019, Mike Teunissen claimed the victory in his golden year.

Practical information Four Days of Dunkirk 2023

• Tuesday, May 16th - Sunday, May 21st
• Participants
• Classification: 2.Pro

In this article

• Most recent winners
• Course, climbs and times
• Favorites stages and general classification
• TV information

Most recent winners Four Days of Dunkirk 2023 

2022 Philippe Gilbert
2021 Not held
2020 Not held
2019 Mike Teunissen
2018 Dimitri Claeys
2017 Clément Venturini
2016 Bryan Coquard
2015 Ignatas Konovalovas
2014 Arnaud Démare
2013 Arnaud Démare

Course of the Four Days of Dunkirk 2023

Stage 1, Tuesday, May 16th: Dunkirk - Abbeville (196.6 km)

The Four Days of Dunkirk starts on Tuesday in Dunkirk and ends on Sunday in Dunkirk. For the first stage, we head south from Dunkirk towards Abbeville, where after almost two hundred kilometers, we can expect a sprint with a reduced peloton.

Climbs
28.1 km: Montagne de Watten (percentages/length not included in route book...)
66.2 km: Coyeqcues (percentages/length not included in route book...)
95.8 km: Lebiez (percentages/length not included in route book...)
124.9 km: Dominiois (percentages/length not included in route book...)
171.2 km: Drucat (percentages/length not included in route book...)

Favorites
Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma)
Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)

Times
Start: 12:05 p.m.
Finish 4:45 p.m.

Stage 2, Wednesday, May 17th: Compiegne - Laon  (169.9 km)

On day two, we start in the same place where Paris-Roubaix begins: Compiegne. From there, we head towards Laon, where the finish is set on a challenging little hill.

Climbs
16.7 km: Mont Berny (percentages/length not included in route book...)
84.3 km: Morte Fontaine (percentages/length not included in route book...)
96.5 km: Le Hameau du Mont Hussard (percentages/length not included in route book...)
110.3 km: Barbonval (percentages/length not included in route book...)
164.2 km: Laon (percentages/length not included in route book...)

Favorites
Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny)
Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën)
Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies)

Times
Start: 12:30 p.m.
Finish 4:30 p.m.

Stage 3, Thursday, May 18th: Saint Quentin - Saint Quentin (15.9 km)

On day three, the general classification can be shaken up as there is an almost sixteen-kilometer time trial in Saint Quentin. The fast guys present here should be able to showcase their qualities.

Climbs
None.

Favorites
Kasper Asgreen (Soudal Quick-Step)
Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis)
Tim van Dijke (Jumbo-Visma)

Times
Start: 2:30 p.m. (first rider)
Finish 5:25 p.m. (last rider)

Stage 4, Friday, May 19th: Maubege - Achicourt (173.8 km)

The fourth stage takes the peloton from Maubege to Achicourt, covering a distance of 173.8 kilometers. With a total elevation gain of 1,201 meters, this seems to be another opportunity for the fast guys present in this Four Days of Dunkirk, although there are also some cobblestone sections in the middle of the stage.

Climbs
59.2 km: St Python (percentages/length not included in route book...)
152.7 km: Mont st. Eloi (percentages/length not included in route book...)

Favorites
Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty)
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma)

Times
Start: 12:20 p.m.
Finish 4:28 p.m.

Stage 5, Saturday, May 20th: Roubaix - Casse (187.8 km)

The fifth stage starts in Roubaix, a name that resonates in the cycling world. However, we won't see any cobbled sections in this stage, which can be considered the queen stage of this Four Days of Dunkirk. Around the arrival town of Cassel, riders will ride a tricky local circuit, featuring two steep hills per lap and an uphill finish. Last year, Gianni Vermeersch won this stage.

Climbs
99.1 km: Rue de Tambour (percentages/length not included in route book...)
105.9 km: Avenue Achille Samyn (percentages/length not included in route book...)
128.3 km: Rue de Tambour (percentages/length not included in route book...)
136.1 km: Avenue Achille Samyn (percentages/length not included in route book...)
142.9 km: Rue de Tambour (percentages/length not recorded in route book...)
149.7 km: Avenue Achille Samyn (percentages/length not recorded in route book...)
157.5 km: Rue de Tambour (percentages/length not recorded in route book.....)
164.3 km: Avenue Achille Samyn (percentages/length not included in route book...)
172.4 km: Rue de Tambour (percentages/length not included in route book...)

Favorites
Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën Team)
Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny)
Per Strand Hagenes (Jumbo-Visma)

Times
Start: 1:00 p.m.
Finish 5:40 p.m.

Stage 6, Sunday, May 21st: Avion - Dunkirk (182.6 km)

In the final stage, we set off from Avoin towards Dunkirk, where we arrive after 108.2 kilometers. Then there is a local circuit of about nine kilometers, which the riders will have to complete six times. This circuit is completely flat and we can expect sprinters to excel here.

Climbs
52.7 km: Mont des Cats (percentages/length not included in route book...)
56.5 km: Mont de Berthen (percentages/length not included in route book...)

Favorites
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma)
Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty)

Times
Start: 12:00 p.m.
Finish 4:20 p.m.

Favorites final classification Four Days of Dunkirk 2023

To win this Vierdaagse van Duinkerke, riders need to be able to sprint, climb hills and ride time trials effectively. In that regard, there are several versatile riders participating in this French stage race. For example, Soudal Quick-Step has sprinter Tim Merlier on the start line, but they also have all-rounders like Kasper Asgreen and Jannik Steimle. Especially the former, with his strong time trial abilities, has the potential to achieve a good overall classification.

Jumbo-Visma is the second major team on the starting list. They bring sprinter Olav Kooij - who is rumored to be considering a transfer - to the race, but they also have promising young riders like Mick van Dijke and Per Strand Hagenes. These strong guys can both perform well in the general classification of this multi-day race. Adding to that, the team benefits from the experience of Timo Roosen, Jos van Emden and Tosh Van Der Sande, making it a strong team overall.

Of course, the French teams will also be present. Cofidis (Benjamin Thomas), AG2R Citroën (Benoit Cosnefroy, Greg Van Avermaet, and Oliver Naesen), Arkéa Samsic (Hugo Hofstetter and Jenthe Biermans), TotalEnergies (Anthony Turgis and Peter Sagan) and Groupama-FDJ (Lewis Askey, Paul Penhoët, and Samuel Watson) all bring strong riders to the start. The latter team also added Romain Gregoire at the last minute, one of the greatest talents in France, making them an immediate contender.

Lotto-Dstny has Arnaud De Lie, who can handle the tougher stages, while other teams like Intermarché-Circus-Wanty (Gerben Thijssen, although it's also worth keeping an eye on Loïc Vliegen) and Astana (Gleb Syritsa and Cees Bol) seem to focus more on their sprinters. Uno-X has a promising puncher in Anthon Charmig. Additionally, it's interesting to watch out for riders like Aaron Gate (Bolton Equities) in this stage race.

Favorites for the overall classification of the 2023 Four Days of Dunkirk, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorites: Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) and Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën Team)
Outsiders: Kasper Asgreen (Soudal Quick-Step), Per Strand Hagenes (Jumbo-Visma) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny)
Long shots: Olav Kooij, Tim van Dijke (both Jumbo-Visma), Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies), Florian Sénéchal (Soudal Quick-Step), Anthon Charmig (Uno-X), Greg Van Avermaet (AG2R Citroën) and Samuel Watson (Groupama-FDJ)

TV Four Days of Dunkirk 2023

Since the Giro d'Italia is still in full swing in its second week, we have to turn to online channels such as Eurosport, Discovery and GCN+. You can tune in to these channels every afternoon for the live coverage of the Four Days of Dunkirk, while IDLProCycling.com will provide a detailed report and reactions every day.

Tom van der Salm (Twitter: @TomvanderSalm)  

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