While most of the cycling world is firmly focussed on the countdown to the Giro, a number of the sport's other protagonists prepare to start one of the largest French stage races outside the WorldTour, the 4 Days of Dunkirk. The 5-day event is held in the northwestern part of France and is a prestigious one whose winner needs to be able to overcome the numerous steep climbs in the area and handle the strong wind that is often seen in the region. Starting on Wednesday at 15.00 CEST, you can follow the first 3 days of the race live on CyclingQuotes.com.

The start list dominated by French teams and this year the organizers have been unable to attract any foreign WorldTour teams. That doesn't mean that the start list is not a strong one as in-form pro continental teams like Caja Rural, Topsport Vlaanderen, Colombia and Wanty all come with strong rosters.

AsIt is no surprise that the race has been able to attract a strong line up of sprinters. Defending champion Arnaud Demare may have decided to skip the race but there will be plenty of fast legs. Bryan Coquard leads the line and he will be up against riders like Michael van Staeyen, Roy Jans, Marc Sarreau, Edward Theuns, Yauheni Hutarovich, Baptiste Planckaert, Leonardo Duque, Russell Downing, Raymond Kreder, Benjamin Giraud and Phil Bauhaus in the bunch sprints. At the same time, riders like Pierrick Fedrigo, Thomas Voeckler, Theuns, Quentin Jauregui, Florian Vachon, Rodolfo Torres, Miguel Rubiano, Cesare Benedetti, Maurits Lammertink, Michel Kreder, Jerome Baugnies, Julien Loubet and the in-form Lluis Mas will try to make use of the numerous small climbs to split things up.

Starting at 15.15 CEST, you can follow the third stage here.