Brits Winning in Dunkerque!

 

May 2007

Report & Images: Belinda Sinclair

 

British riders have had some impressive success at the Four Days of Dunkerque event in Northern France this week. With a British Continental Team DFL, as well as British riders Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis), plus Roger Hammond and Mark Cavendish of TMobile, Paul Manningand Ed Clancy (Landboukrediet-Tonisst) Jeremy Hunt (Canyon. Com) and Kristian House (Navigators), there was quite a presence.

And it was track World Champion Bradley Wiggins who set the spokes of success spinning in the 9 km time trial that kicked off the 2007 'Fete' Not that he had anything to prove of course, but in the event that the French call 'Le contre Montre' and which really should have been 'contre le montre et le temps' (against the watch and the weather) he showed why he really is in a class of his own.

 

Brad Wiggins during and after his breakthrough win

The rain of earlier in the day had dried up by the time Wiggins was called onto the ramp in the late afternoon, but had been replaced by gusts of wind that blew over metal street furniture, and threatened to wreck the riders signing on tent.

" It was horrible out there today, and was actually quite dangerous in places" said Wiggins immediately after the race. "The wind was incredibly strong and that was bad enough, but what was really difficult was the sideways gusts that hit you every time there was a gap in the buildings or at junctions. And with blocked in wheels, it was really catching me."

As one of the last riders to go, the home straight was already festooned with papers and giant plastic hands, ripped from the clutches of spectators and swept into the cordoned off finish area. At least one rider was hit by flying debris as he sprinted for the line, but fortunately there were no pile ups. But the Cofidis rider avoided all distractions and piled on the power, storming up the Boulevard Sainte Barbe to cross the line outside Credit Agricole in 10:39:32, eleven seconds ahead of William Bonnet of Credit Agricole (10.51.02), to take the maillot Rose.

" It was a good race for me - I won - but it was hard. But the conditions were the same for everybody, so all you can really do is just go out there and do your race. Fortunately, it worked well for me today", said Wiggins.

 

Roger Hammond (second from right) showing well at the front of the race

Then came the turn of the TMobile duo, on the second stage (190.8km Dunkerque to Ste Amand les Eaux). The weather played havoc again, this time as fine drizzle and lashing rain alternating through the day. With both Roger Hammond and Mark Cavendish going well throughout, they were well placed for the still final sprint. Hammond worked his legs off for Cavendish, who finished in third place behind pole Piotr Zielinski (Bretagne Armor Lux) and Frenchman David Boucher (Landbouwkrediet- the Tonisst)

The third stage (Thursday) dawned with Cavendish wearing the green points jersey, and facing the 190km from Ste Amand Les Eaux to Caudry. A small breakaway group established several minutes lead by they reached Ramousies, about 74 km into the race, and it stayed that way right until the approach to the Caudry circuit, albeit the time gap had been reduced. Both Hammond and Cavendish remained at the front of the main bunch until just about a kilometre to go, before Hammond made his move, sprinting ahead and splitting the group, for Cavendish to go through and take the line, with Gert Steegmans (Quick Step Innergetic) second and Hammond in third.

 

Cavendish winning stage 3 (left) and going into the Time Trial

" Roger went with about 250 to go and he was off! That left me about 25 metres to catch up, so I just went for it. I remember looking round to see who was near and there was nobody! He did a great job for me, just like he did yesterday" said Cavendish. " It was also a great result for the team."

So with Cavendish taking the stage win and T Mobile the team win, how did he find the race overall?

" It was hard, especially in the first hour or so because it was so open and the wind was very strong and blowing over the open fields. But then I settled in and got going. One thing that I noticed today is that everybody in France seems to sprint - and not just sprinters either! You have to learn how to keep a bit of space and not let people tuck in under you and get in front. I caught my pedal on the road as I went round a corner with somebody trying to sneak past me - but he didn't manage it!"

With more riding to do before Sunday's finish back in Dunkerque, Cavendish summed up his week so far: " Well, I think I've proved myself and showed that people can have confidence in me. It's my second major win in my first year - McEwan had eleven - but I think I've started the season and this week well, and hope to carry on winning".