On the usual Cassel circuit, the overall classification of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque was almost definitely decided this Saturday. The Groupama-FDJ did try to upset the plans of the pink jersey Sam Bennett with Sam Watson, on the attack in the last two laps, but everything ultimately came down to the last climb. The Briton was caught two kilometres from the finish, and Paul Penhoët then found himself fighting at the front and took second place on the line. The French sprinter scored his second podium of the week, and also climbed to second position on GC.
Host of the French championships last year, Cassel was also, and as usual, the major place for the “queen” stage of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque on Saturday. After fifty kilometres from Arques, the peloton actually entered the final circuit, including two rolling climbs but with one of them covered with cobbles. This fifteen-kilometre circuit was to be covered eight times, and the peloton was initially quite calm behind a small breakaway including Fausto Masnada, Jérémy Lecrocq and Enzo Leijnes. The Italian held out longer than his companions at the head of the race but was still caught with almost thirty-five kilometres to go. Still quite big at that moment, the peloton lost some units just before entering the last two laps. A few attacks re-opened the race, and Groupama-FDJ soon joined in the moves. “We wanted to be careful in the last two laps because we knew that Decathlon-AG2R and Israel-Premier Tech were going to pull before, and that’s what happened,” explained Paul Penhoët. “We didn’t have the team to attack from far, so it wasn’t smart to do so”, explained Thierry Bricaud. “The goal was to wait until the last two laps to move forward and be active. That’s what Sam did very well.”
“A bit frustrating for Sam”, Thierry Bricaud
Following a nice attack on the second hill of the circuit, the British rider joined a quartet including Thomas Gachignard and Kasper Asgreen in the front. “Until then, it was perfect for us,” Paul added. Thanks to good collaboration, the leading men were able to build a gap of around twenty seconds, but the peloton did not slow down. The attackers were constantly kept in sight of the peloton, which tackled the final ascent towards Cassel just a few metres behind them. “Decathlon-AG2R had a strong squad, so unfortunately it didn’t work out for Sam,” said Paul. “It’s a bit frustrating for Sam, who was not rewarded once again, but that’s part of the game,” added Thierry. “The peloton was still well organized, and Gachignard punctured in front while he was riding very well and could have given a good helping hand. If we had attacked a lap later, it might have been harder to catch them, but it’s always easy to say after. Above all, many teams did not want to, or could not, make the race.” Although he kept on leading the race until the last two kilometres, the young Englishman was caught, while the peloton exploded on the last slopes of the climb.
“The goal is still to win tomorrow”, Paul Penhoët
Paul Penhoët fought hard but managed to follow the first small group of riders. “I had good legs all day, I didn’t make any unnecessary effort and I rode conservatively on each climb,” he explained. “My goal was to save as much as possible to give it my all in the last climb. Then, the legs did the talking, and I believed I could make it.” One kilometre from the line, back on the tarmac, there were only a handful of riders left to compete for victory. Then, the Groupama-FDJ sprinter followed the pink jersey Sam Bennett when he produced his final acceleration more than 300 metres from the finish. However, he did not manage to overtake him on the final straight’s cobbles. “It’s a shame, but I couldn’t do anything more,” said Paul, second in the stage. “He was really very strong.” “He did a strong final climb, and he held on nicely,” said Thierry. “It is also a sign of good form. When you’re just returning to racing as is the case and you’re still up there after five days, especially in Cassel, it means it’s not going too bad! There is no regret, he was beaten by a stronger rider. With four more months in his legs, he would probably have put his arms in the air, but that’s how it is.”
Thanks to the gaps on the line and the bonus seconds, Paul Penhoët also moved up to second place overall, twenty-eight seconds behind Bennett. “Second overall is good, but the goal still is to win tomorrow in the sprint in Dunkirk to reward the team for this great week of racing,” Paul concluded. “There could be some suspense tomorrow, because it’s an urban circuit, where it’s always difficult to catch a breakaway if it’s a strong one,” added Thierry.
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