For the second year in a row, Arnaud Demare won the 4 Days of Dunkirk overall when he safely rolled across the line in 5th in today's final stage of the race. Having entered the race with his sights set on stage wins, the Frenchman was surprised to defend his title and admits that he had to suffer a lot to hold off Sylvain Chavanel.

One year ago Arnaud Demare again proved that he is more than a sprinter when he won the Four Days of Dunkirk overall. Having won the opening three sprint stages, he dug deep in the race's queen stage to defend his overall lead before taking home the victory one day later.

This year Demare has set his sights on the Tour de France and so entered the race in a worse condition. Hence, he did not expect to defend his overall win and was more focused on stage victories.

After winning the first two stages, however, he found himself as the overall leader but with two hilly days coming up and an in-form Sylvain Chavanel constantly on the attack, he didn't expect to defend the lead. However, he surprised himself in both stages and came out of yesterday's stage with the jersey still on his shoulders.

Today it was all about staying safe in the final flat stage that was won from a breakaway by Jimmy Engoulvent and Demare was pleased to take home what he regarded as a surprise victory.

"When I started on Wednesday I did not expect to do such a race. I came here to chase stages and I leave with the GC," he told l'Equipe. "The team was very strong. They all did a lot of work and were great.

"Today I punctured 50km from the finish and it required an effort to get back. These five days were very diffuclt. Many riders have suffered from the weather, the wind. We will remember this Four Days of Dunkirk.

"Friday [was the hardest day]. From the beginning, it was difficult. I knew the course from my junior years. My teammates set the pace as if I was a climber while I was on my limit. They believed in it more than I did. I said that it would be difficult to hold off Chavanel on Saturday. Finally, I could hold onto the jersey and I surprised myself.

"I think I belong to the Tour de France roster after what I have shown. We know from the classics that I am not a pure sprinter. I have proved this again by winning the GC here. The Tour de France will be my next big goal.

"Last year I was really exhausted when I stood on the podium. I was eager to return to the race. I have enjoyed. It was harder physically but I defended the jersey with the experience I had from last year. I did not expect to be so strong at this point of the year."