FDJ's Arnaud Demare has won the opening stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk race.
A race which now has five stages over five days after a change a couple of years ago, started with a 162km stage from Dunkerque to Coudekerque-Banche.
Rickaert and Senechel were the main escapers of the day and had kept a lead of sixteen seconds going into the final thirty kilometres.
Rickaert tried a solo raid but FDR led the peloton in hunting him down and with 21kms left, the riders were altogether.
Dominic Klemme of IAM Cycling, attacked but could only stay away for six kilometres.
FDJ, IAM Cycling and Cofidis took their turns on the front before there was an attack by Sylvain Chavanel of IAM and Cofidis' Adrien Petit.
They took five seconds but the peloton was not going to let them stay away and they were caught with 2.2kms to go and set up the sprint that the big teams wanted.
Arnaud Demare who was favourite for this stage, did not disappoint and stormed away to take the win in 3.49.32 ahead of Sinkeldam, Martinez, Van Bilsen, Bennett , Rostollan, Dumoulin, Arndt, Vantomme and Kluge.
Demare now goes into stage two which is from Hazebrouck to Orchies with a four second lead.