The traditional final stage of Four days at Dunkerque on the northern French coastline by The English Channel was dominated by a breakaway including CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s Christian Mager and Europcar’s Thomas Voeckler but in spite of a strong effort, it all came down to a bunch sprint.

The breakaway of six riders was being chased by the field animated by the French sprinter teams while CULT Energy Pro Cycling concentrated on protecting Mads Pedersen and Russell Downing in the peloton. With 18 kilometers to go, the escapees started attacking each other, which immediately and significantly brought down the gap and only 8 kilometers later, Mager and Voeckler were swept up by the speeding peloton.

The last standing escapee Benoit Jarrier (Bretagne) kept on pushing on the front but had to forfeit with 6 kilometers to go. From then on, it was a landrush towards the finish line where Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaanderens) took the stage in a wild bunch sprint.

CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s Russell Downing finished 7th while teammate, Mads Pedersen took 6th overall.

DS Michael Skelde says:

"I really wanted us to represented in today's breakaway. Especially on the final stage here in Dunkerque, escapees have a good chance of making it to the finish line but even though we came close today with Christian, it was a good effort. Naturally, I'm content with the overall result but I'm also happy to see how we influence the race on each stage."

Mads Pedersen adds:

"I wanted to secure my overall position and at the same time give someting back to the guys who have protected me all week so Russell was our man for the sprint today. But still I was well-protected in the finale and had no problem sailing in across the finish line with what I consider a great personal result. It provides me with a load of confidence for the coming races and it only confirms that I've been preparing well for this race."

Mads Pedersen's next race is the Dutch stage race, World Ports Classic.