Conor Dunne enjoyed a great day in the jersey. He has really emerged in recent seasons as a man to animated pro racing. And now the rewards are coming. Above, on the front of the escape again today.
Conor Dunne lets rip again at 4 Jours de Dunkerque
One of the most aggressive riders in the pro peloton, Conor Dunne has extended his lead in the climbers' classification at 4 Jours de Dunkerque.
The Aqua Blue Sport rider went on the attack on yesterday's stage 2 in the hunt for a stage win.
The two-man move he was in was caught in the closing stages. But Dunne took the climbers' jersey and the most aggressive ride award.
And he went about extending his lead in the climbers' contest on today's third stage; by going on the attack again.
Dunne not only got clear in the main escape of the day, he took maximum points on all four categorised climbs.
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And while there are three stages remaining, and some real quality in the race, Dunne's challenge for the climbers' classification is really taking shape.
Today's stage 3, of six, took the riders 171.5km from Fort Mahon Plage to Ecques.
Dunne went clear early with four others. With him were Jan-Willem van Schip of Roompot, Samuel Leroux of Roubaix Lille Métropole and Jérémy Leveau of Delko Marseille-Provence.
Once clear, Conor Dunne singlemindedly went after the climbing points.
Dunne fixed on the task at hand. Bouhanni wins as Conor Dunne's escape was caught with just a couple of kilometres to go.
On Dominois after 24km, Embry with 65km completed and Coyecques at the 122km marker he was first over the line.
He now has a total of 18 points at the top of the leaderboard in that classification. Next is Pierre Idjouadiene of Roubaix Lille Métropole on 6 points.
And Dunne's sole breakaway companion from stage 2 - Brice Feillu of Fortuneo-Samsic - is also on six points in third.
The breakaway got a gap of over four minutes, though the sprinters' teams had halved it going into the final 50km.
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However, it was not until the 2km to go marker than the four leaders were caught, giving way to a bunch finish.
Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis took victory; a timely win given his team had said he would not be picked for the Tour de France unless his form improved.
Next home was Timothy Dupont (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), with Wouter Wippert (Roompot) in 3rd place. Dupont took over the race leader’s jersey from Bryan Coquard of Vital Concept.
While Dunne had flown the Aqua Blue Sport flag so well all day, his team mate Aaron Gate was not so lucky. He crashed in the closing stages, though escaped without any broken bones.
Dunne was 117th on the stage, some 1:46 down. However, that time loss is irrelevant as it is all about keeping the cimbers' jersey for him now.
Enjoying the perks of 'jerseyhood' - authographs and taking his place at the front for the start.
The only other Irish rider in the race, Matt Brammeier of Aqua Blue Sport was 119th at 2:06.
Dunne's director Nicki Sørensen said he was hopeful the Irishman could keep his jersey all the way to the finish.
“I think that Conor is in better condition than he thought he would be," he said. "And after today it seems possible that he can keep hold of the jersey.
“There are a lot of mountains points on offer over the next two stages. But with 18 points he has a pretty solid lead.
"In order to keep it he will possibly have to get into the breakaway again in one or both of the next two days. So we’ll see if he is up for that.
“Yesterday he was riding for the possibility of a stage win. But today it was all about the mountains jersey.
"He is in very good form and we have to be content with how the day played out.”
Saturday is the queen stage; some 178km from Wormhout to Cassel with eight categorised climbs.
“We don’t have a sprinter at this race so the goals for us remain a stage win and a top five finish in GC," said Sørensen.
"Looking ahead to stage 5, Casper (Pedersen) is going very well. And is in very good condition for this stage.
"Today he concentrated on staying out of trouble in the sprint finish. Stage 5 will be decisive and so far the team has ridden in a very mature way.”
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