2011 4 Jours de Dunkerque: Stage 1 Results
After spending the day dominating the intermediate sprints, Marcel Kittel of the Skil-Shimano team wrapped up the stage, besting Giacomo Nizzolo (Leopard) and Denis Galimzianov (Katusha) at the finish line. At age 22, the German takes the pink jersey of the leader and grabs his best win in the pros, a few days after finishing second in the Tour of Cologne.
Kittel embodied the work of his team who helped him during much of the day. Despite the climbs of the Mont des Cats and Black Mount, the team of sprinters took hold of the race from start to finish.
It took nearly two hours to see the first real breakaway of the day: Italian Stefano Borchi escaped alone at the 100km mark, but never worried the pack. Despite a 7 to 8 minute lead at one point, he was easily captured 15 km from the line, under the concerted effort of Leopard, Katusha and Skil. The sprinters could meet for a rematch Thursday at Iwuy although a paved area could animate the race in the final circuit.
Brief Results:
- Marcel Kittel (Skil – Shimano)
- Denis Galimzyanov (Katyusha)
- Giacomo Nizzolo (Leopard Trek)
- Jimmy Casper (Saur Sojasun)
- Yauheni Hutarovich (FDJ)
- Gorik Gardeyn (Vacansoleil DCM)
- Stéphane Bonsergent (Brittany Schuller)
- Steven Caethoven (Willems Veranda’s Accent)
- Denis Flahaut (Roubaix Lille Metropole)
- Alexander Porsev (Katyusha)
Tags: 4 Jours de Dunkerque, Denis Flahaut, Denis Galimzyanov, four days of dunkirk, giacomo nizzolo, Jimmy Casper, marcel kittel, roubaix lille metropole, Shimano, Skil-Shimano, Stefano Borchi, The Tour, vacansoleil, Yauheni Hutarovich
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