FDJ's Arnaud Demare won the opening stage of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque (Four Days Of Dunkirk) race.
Tim Mertens (Topsport), Robert Busch and Julien Duval, who won both the King Of The Mountains climbs to take the jersey into tomorrow's second stage in this five stage race, had a lead of 1.02 with 44kms of an opening 155.1km stage from Dunkerque to Courrières.
One hundred and forty seven riders from twenty four nations but no British riders were in the race which saw mainly French teams enter this annual race in the north of France and.the 144 had chased down the three escapers and were lining up for the final sprint of the day with 22.9kms to go at Henin Beaumont.
Cofidis had Petit in the sprint points but they were caught by four then five riders including Gene, Geslink, Avery, Al Fares and Mondorory making a break.
They too were pulled back and with one lap of a 12.5km circuit to complete, a bunch sprint was shaping up.
FDJ, Iam Cycling and Vacansoleil had riders at the front as we went into the final two kilometres.
Into Courrières and Vacansoleil were still on the front and in an exciting sprint, the 21 year old Arnaud Demare of FDJ, won in a time of 3.38 56, after attacking on the right and getting past Ramon Sinkeldam and Kenny Van Hummel.