May 3, 2006 – Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Quick Step-Innergetic won the opening Stage 1 – Dunkerque — Gravelines, 161km – at the Four Days of Dunkirk taking place in France, May 3-7.

Results

1 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Quick Step-Innergetic 3.42.34 (43.322 km/h)
2 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Davitamon-Lotto
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
4 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick Step-Innergetic
5 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis, le Credit par Telephone
6 Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Team Wiesenhof Akud
7 Simone Cadamuro (Ita) Team Milram
8 Aart Vierhouten (Ned) Skil-Shimano
9 Wouter Weylandt (Bel) Quick Step-Innergetic
10 Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Team Milram

GC After Stage 1

1 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Quick Step-Innergetic 3.42.14
2 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Davitamon-Lotto 0.08
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole 0.12
4 Niels Brouzes (Fra) Auber 93 0.14
5 Claudio Cucinotta (Ita) Team Tenax Salmilano 0.16
6 Roberto Petito (Ita) Team Tenax Salmilano 0.17
7 Nicolas Roche (Irl) Cofidis, le Credit par Telephone 0.18
8 Brian Vandborg (Den) Team CSC
9 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick Step-Innergetic 0.20
10 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis, le Credit par Telephone

May 7, 2003 – Today's first day of the Four Days of Dunkirk was won by Frederic Finot (Jean Delatour) ahead of compatriot Stephane Berges (AG2R) and Belgian Tom Steels (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago). Canada's Michael Barry finished 23rd after a tough day. “Two guys were away all day,” Barry said, “But we did get to do a few pave sections, which was fun. They weren't too tough, and I finished comfortably in the bunch.” Today's stage was significant as it signals the beginning of mandatory helmet use for pros.

Stage 1: Dunkerque – Roost-Warendin, 189.5 km

1. Frederic Finot (Fra) Jean Delatour 4.35.34 (41.26 km/h)
2. Stephane Berges (Fra) Ag2r-Prevoyance
3. Tom Steels (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago 2.05
4. Yuri Mitlushenko (Ukr) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
5. Laurent Brochard (Fra) Ag2r-Prevoyance
6. James Vanlandschoot (Bel) Vlaanderen-T Interim
7. Cedric Vasseur (Fra) Cofidis
8. Plamen Stoianov (Bul) Big.Mat-Auber 93
9. Baden Cooke (Aus) FDJeux.com
10. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) FDJeux.com
—
23. Michael Barry (USPS/Berry Floor)