The 4 Jours de Dunkerque concluded this Sunday, and Groupama-FDJ eventually didn’t manage to turn things around. Lewis Askey did try to steal a few bonus seconds with forty kilometers to go, but he was unable to surprise the race leader, and had to settle for second place overall. At the finish, Thibaud Gruel joined the bunch sprint in Dunkirk and claimed a fine third place, which made him climb to sixth overall. The end of a successful week for the team.
There were 185 kilometres left for Lewis Askey and Groupama-FDJ to try and gain the three seconds which were missing to the Briton to take the lead in the general classification. Unfortunately, they were also facing an extremely flat and straight profile this Sunday on the fifth and final stage of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. “By winning a bonus sprint, Lewis could become the virtual leader,” explained William Green. “The strategy for the day was to control the race in anticipation of the last bonus sprint, at kilometre 146. Eddy was incredible today controlling the breakaway, then on the local circuits as well, keeping the team in a good position.” The day’s break, made up of four riders, was caught with 42 kilometres to go, just before the crucial point. “We really wanted to fight until the end for the general classification,” said Thibaud Gruel. “We all focused on this time bonus. The team did a huge job all day and we put up a great fight against Ineos. Unfortunately, it didn’t work this time.” In the intermediate sprint, Lewis Askey was narrowly beaten by Sam Watson, thus losing a second in the overall standings to his fellow countryman. “He was beaten by a better rider, but we can only commend the team for the work they did,” William emphasized.
“I’m really happy with the week,” Thibaud Gruel
In the final hour of racing, the sprinters’ teams took over in preparation for the final sprint in Dunkirk. The Groupama-FDJ cycling team tried to position in the final five kilometers, but without Lewis Askey. “Lewis invested a lot in the bonus sprint,” William explained. “On the final circuit, it was really hard to hold a good position, especially after today’s efforts and those made yesterday in Cassel. This was just the dynamic of the race today and we are really proud of him for how he raced throughout the week, consistently”. The British rider therefore settled for second place overall while Cyril Barthe, Matt Walls and Thibaud Gruel got into position for the sprint. “It was a chaotic final, as is often the case here,” William added. “I still had a little bit of energy, and I still had a good position, so I tried to go for it,” said Thibaud. “It turned out to be a pretty good idea.” By following the wheel of Jake Stewart, the winner of the stage, the young Frenchman managed to snatch the day’s podium. “Thibaud found himself in a very good position and was able to take this great third place, and we can’t be disappointed with this result,” added William.Thanks to this final effort, and the four bonus seconds he earned, Thibaud Gruel also jumped from tenth to sixth place overall. “I’m really happy with the week,” he said. “I really had a good time. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden with such an organized and united team, so it was a really positive race.” With a stage win and second place overall in the bags, the week was also a success for Lewis Askey. “I’m disappointed at the moment, but if we said I’d have done this at the start of the week I’d have been very satisfied,” he confessed. “I’m very proud of the way the team attacked this race, and it shows in the results. I hope we keep this spirit up in the coming races.” “As the team director here, I’m very satisfied with the whole group,” William concluded. “It’s just a great improvement from early in the season in terms of the dynamic between the team and how we race as a group. They gave 120% every day and were really motivated. To come away with 2nd and 6th on GC, it’s really something. All the riders are in very good form and we’re excited for the next races”.
