Northern France's windswept stage race
4 Jours de Dunkerque
A compact stage race in northern France where crosswinds, time trials, and short climbs sort the field across four days of unpredictable racing.
Next edition May 19–23, 2027
- Location
- 🇫🇷 France
- When
- Mid May
- Course
- Stage Race
- Most recent winner
- 🇳🇿 Laurence Pithie (2026)
- Also known as
- Grand Prix des Hauts-de-France
- Category
- Men’s 2.Pro
About 4 Jours de Dunkerque
4 Jours de Dunkerque is a men's cycling stage race held each May in northern France. Run on exposed roads near the Belgian border, the race typically features time trials, coastal crosswind stages, and short punchy climbs that reward all-rounders and tactical awareness.
Also known as: Grand Prix des Hauts-de-France · Four Days of Dunkirk
First held in 1955, the race has long served as a proving ground for French stage-racing talent.
This is a race where the weather matters as much as the route. The exposed coastal roads and flat interior stages invite echelon splits, while short time trials and punchy finishes reward riders who can handle multiple disciplines across four days. It sits in the calendar window between the Ardennes and the Giro, drawing a mix of stage-race prospects testing form and classics riders extending their spring.
4 Jours de Dunkerque winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 🇳🇿Laurence Pithie |
| 2025 | 🇬🇧Samuel Watson |
| 2024 | 🇮🇪Sam Bennett |
| 2023 | 🇫🇷Romain Gregoire |
| 2022 | 🇧🇪Philippe Gilbert |
| 2019 | 🇳🇱Mike Teunissen |
2027 edition
May 19–23, 2027.
4 Jours de Dunkerque route
The race is usually won by a rider who can time trial, handle crosswinds, and climb short steep ramps without losing significant time. Stages along the coast between Dunkerque and Calais are frequently split by wind, and the GC is often decided by seconds rather than minutes. Expect at least one individual time trial, typically short and technical, and one or two stages with punchy climbs or cobbled sectors that test bike-handling and positioning. The final day is often a circuit race that can still reshuffle the top five if the gaps are tight. Pure climbers rarely win here, but pure sprinters rarely survive the full four days in contention.
What shapes the race
Race type
Four to five-day stage race through northern France, run through the flat, wind-exposed terrain of Hauts-de-France.
Wind identity
The North Sea coast and exposed agricultural roads make echelons a constant threat on flat stages.
Typical winner
A versatile sprinter or puncheur who can handle crosswinds and still contest uphill finishes.
Signature landmarks
Northern France between the coast and the Flemish hills.
- Terrain
North Sea coast
The exposed coastal roads near Dunkirk deliver relentless crosswinds that can fracture the peloton.
- Terrain
Monts de Flandre
The rolling hills of French Flanders provide the climbing challenge in the later stages.
History
Memorable editions
- 2022
Gilbert wins at 39
Philippe Gilbert won the overall classification at 39 years old, showing that experience and tactical intelligence can still prevail.
- 2023
Gregoire announces himself
Romain Gregoire won at just 20 years old, using the race as a launchpad for his professional career.
Iconic victories
Jean-Paul van Poppel
Multiple victories in the 1980s and 1990s established the race as a serious spring target for northern European riders.
Philippe Gilbert
Won in 2022 at 39, proving the race rewards tactical maturity as much as raw speed.
Romain Gregoire
Won in 2023 at 20, showing the race can launch careers as well as cap them.
Eras and records
Running since 1955, the race is a fixture on the French calendar.
First edition
The race has been held since 1955, making it one of the longest-running stage races in northern France.