Dunkerque Done! Martijn 8th in final sprint!

Today’s stage was tailored made for the sprinters. Short and to the point. This stage was a welcome change from the 190 km stages of a few days ago. Martijn and Mike were our designated leaders for the day. Once the pace picked up with 5 laps to go of the 6.5k circuit, the rest of us were to keep them in position for the finale.

The circuit was littered with road furniture, adding to the already dicey combo of fresh legs and a hungry pack barreling down towards the finish. Someone dive-bombed Mike’s front wheel with 4 km to go, taking him out of the running. Martijn fought his way to a fine 8th place finish in the bunch kick. [Martijn pictured above during Tirreno-Adriatico stage 4.]

All in all, it was a solid week of racing that allowed us to get some much needed kilometers in our legs. Half of the crew is staying in France for Picardie, which starts in just a few days, while the rest of us are headed back to Girona to get ready for Volta Catalunya.

Thanks for reading!

-Blake

Slipstream final results
1. Thor Hushovd 2:56′48″

8. Martijn Maaskant mt
56. Christophe Laurent +17″
70. Blake Caldwell +38″
91. Jason Donald +44″
108. Steven Cozza +44″
120. Michael Friedman +44″

Slipstream final GC
1. Stéphane Augé 25:45′48″

33. Christophe Laurent +4′06″
46. Blake Caldwell +5′32″
59. Jason Donald +7′03″
96. Martijn Maaskant +22′24″
114. Steven Cozza +25′38″
125. Michael Friedman +27′16″