Greipel solos to victory in 4 Jours de Dunkerque stage

André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) claimed his second stage victory of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque, but unlike his previous sprint victory, the stage 5 win was a solo attack that moved the German into third place overall. Dmitri Claeys (Cofidis) crossed the line six seconds later to take the race lead, out-sprinting Oscar Riesebeek (Roompot) from the remnants of the breakaway.

Greipel entered into the day's 18-man breakaway, but with four local laps with two short, sharp climbs each, the group was quickly whittled down in the last half of the stage. The German made his move after the final ascent, taking Claeys and Riesebeek with him. Despite a spirited chase from the peloton by Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale), who came within 20 seconds, the trio managed to stay clear and Greipel charged away to the win.

"It was a difficult day," Greipel said, according to Sporza. "We were in an attack with 18 men fairly early, and the succession of the Mont Cassel climbs did not fail."

"The last climb was really tough, and we were left with three men, but everyone did their job, until Claeys got on and I could get onto his wheel, and then I thought my moment came."

"I also won a stage uphill in the Tour of Luxembourg, so this is not new to me, but I can not deny that it is special to win a mountain stage."

Greipel has another shot at a stage victory in the expected sprint on Sunday where time bonuses could propel him to the overall win. "We will see - I am already very happy to have been able to win again today, my second victory in this 4 Jours de Dunkerque, and after a 7 week rehabilitation, I do not think about the final victory yet."

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