Four Days of Dunkirk 2008

The Four Days of Dunkirk is a six day stage race held in the Calias region of northern France from May 6 to 11.

AFP report: Belgian Kenny De Haes of the Topsport team claimed victory in the third stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk race Thursday after upsetting Norwegian sprint ace Thor Hushovd at the line.

Frenchman Stephane Auge, of Cofidis, retained the race leader's jersey after the 193km stage between Le Cateau-Cambresis and here.

Cofidis, and the Skil team of the race's best climber Clement Lhotellerie, were forced to work throughout most of Thursday's stage to protect their respective jerseys.

An early three-man breakaway went off after just 12km, but their lead was allowed to hit a maximum of just 4min 45sec, at the 75km mark, before the peloton upped the pace decisively.

They were caught with 11km to race, and in the final bunch sprint De Haes surged ahead of his rivals after Gert Steegmans, the much-fancied Belgian winner of Wednesday's sprint, failed to produce the required speed.

Hushovd, of Credit Agricole, finished second with former under-23 world champion Gerald Ciolek, of High Road, in third.

1. Kenny De Haes (BEL) Topsport Vlaanderen 4hr 38min 34sec,
2. Thor Hushovd (NOR) same time,
3. Gerald Ciolek (GER) s.t.,
4. Jean-Patrick Nazon (FRA) s.t.,
5. Borut Bozic (SLO) s.t.,
6. Jose Joaquin Gil Rojas (ESP) s.t.,
7. Koen De Kort (NED) s.t.,
8. Sebastian Siedler (GER) s.t.,
9. Gianni Meersman (BEL) s.t.,
10. Jurgen Roelandts (BEL) s.t.

General Classification
1. Stephane Auge (FRA) Cofidis 13hr 49min 45sec,
2. Clement Lhotellerie (FRA) 19sec behind,
3. Kenny De Haes (BEL) 2:44,
4. Rony Martias (FRA) 2:45,
5. Florian Vachon (FRA) 2:47,
6. Thor Hushovd (NOR) 2:48,
7. Jean-Patrick Nazon (FRA) 2:50,
8. Gerald Ciolek (GER) s.t.,
9. Sebastian Siedler (GER) s.t.,
10. Anthony Roux (FRA) 2:51

Stages
May 6 Stage 1 - Dunkerque – Roost Warendin (179kms)
May 7 Stage 2 - Hénin Beaumont – Le Cateau Cambrésis (192kms)
May 8 Stage 3 - Le Cateau Cambrésis – Saint Quentin (193kms)
May 9 Stage 4 - Wasquehal - Calais (193kms)
May 10 Stage 5 - Calais – Sangatte Cap Blanc Nez (179,kms)
May 11 Stage 6 - Dunkerque « Kursaal » – Dunkerque « Centre » (128kms)